Whether you consider yourself an exceptional student who excels at absolutely everything (is there really such a person), or someone who leaves room for improvement (which, to be honest is all of us), now is the time to really sit down and plot those improvements.

Have a good look at your subjects. How well did you do? Were those weak areas the result of not fully understanding the topics, were they poor time management when completing assessments, or not being truly focussed when studying for that test?

If you didn’t fully understand the topic, go back and re-read your class notes, look at the examples and try some practice ones. Sometimes it even helps to work backwards. Look at the answers and work through the steps they took to get there. Quite often, it might not be the entire process you don’t understand, simply one step. If all else fails, contact your teacher and ask for some clarity.

If your problems lie with poor time management and focus, print yourself an organiser or work from a diary. Allocating time to a task, be it homework, study or assessments, is imperative to success. However, it is important to be realistic. Planning to work a 4 hour block on a task with no breaks is doomed before it starts. Be honest with yourself. You know if you can devote 60 minutes to a task or if you need a break after 30 minutes. Give yourself a short break to visit the bathroom or check your phone.

Eliminate distractions when you are working. This means no TV, and definitely no phone. Put the phone on silent and in a drawer. You can check it in the break. Have a designated area where you can spread out and work. The dining room table isn’t great when dinner needs to be served.

Write down your goals. Put them on A4 paper and plaster them on your mirror or walls. Give yourself credit. Positive affirmations do wonders for your self-esteem. Aim for a realistic goal. 70% in my maths test, “YOU’VE GOT THIS’, is a positive thing to wake up and see each morning. Believe in yourself!

Between now and the start of the 2022 school year, get your folders organised and your study notes up to date. Re-read your study notes. Make new notes from your notes. Read those notes aloud; by doing so you are not only reading them but also hearing them. Record yourself reading them and play them back whilst going for a walk.

2022 will be here before you know it. Only you can prepare yourself so you can do and be your best. Remember that your parents, your teachers and the library staff are always available if you need assistance.