爲新學年做準備只需這5步

通過設定一些全年執行的要求和計劃，你可以收穫一個碩果累累的新學年。一項成功的計劃，也許從與父母簡單談話開始，這將大大有助於家庭溝通。一項成功的計劃，也可以是一份清單，利於你保持正軌、準備測試、注意重要的日子。一份好的計劃能夠減緩家裏的緊張氣氛，能夠爲參加課外活動騰出時間，能夠確保你按時完成作業。

1. Identify a Time Management Tool

Great time management requires very little in the way of investment, but the payoff can be priceless! A few simple tools will keep students on track and on target all year long. A simple wall calendar and a few colored stickers will do the trick:

合理安排時間花費的投資極少，但是收穫卻極大！幾個簡單的工具，就能令學生一年四季保持正軌、緊盯目標。沒錯！一張牆歷、幾種不同顏色的貼紙就能做到這些：

Simply place the big wall calendar in a prominent place near your regular study space. Then come up with a color code for your classes (like green for math and yellow for history). When you have a big due date or a test date, place the appropriate colored sticker on that date for all to see.

首先，把大日曆掛在顯眼的地方，最好靠近日常學習的位置。接着，使用不同顏色的貼紙區分每門課程（例如，綠色代表數學而黃色代表歷史）。然後，在重要日子或考試臨近時，將適當顏色的貼紙粘在對應的日期，供人瀏覽。

The big wall calendar is just one tool that you can use in your time management tool kit. Find a few tools that are right for you and you'll see how easy it is to stay on top of your work.

在牆壁上粘貼大日曆只是時間管理工具箱中可操作的手段之一。找到幾種適合自己的時間管理辦法，你會發現，保持高昂的工作狀態其實很容易。

2. Preview the Expectations

It's always a good idea to preview the material that you will cover over the coming months. Take a look at the topics you'll cover in math, science, social science, and language areas--but don't get nervous or overwhelmed by what you see. The idea is simply to establish a mental framework to follow.

預覽未來幾個月將涉及的學習材料，在任何時候都是個好辦法。看看你將在數學、科學、社會科學、語言領域涉及到的主題------但不要對所看到的內容感到緊張或退怯。畢竟，這一行爲的本意在於建立一個可遵循的心理框架。

3. Get Organized With Color

If you're already a very organized person, you are one step ahead of many people! But many students (and parents) can use some help when it comes to staying organized. Color coding is one of the best tools for keeping homework, folders, and school supplies organized.

如果你做起事來有條不紊，那麼你已領先許多人！但是，就保持學習組織性問題而言，許多學生（及父母）可以藉助一些幫助。顏色編碼，就是保持家庭作業、檔案夾、學習用品有序的最佳手段之一。

You may want to start with a pack of colored highlighters, and then find folders, notes, and stickers to match them. Assign a color for every school subject. Use coordinated colors when highlighting notes, compiling research, and filing in folders.

首先你需要一套彩色熒光筆。接着，找到文件夾、筆記，然後使用適當的貼紙與之匹配。爲每門科目分配顏色。強調註釋、編譯研究以及歸檔文件時，使用恰當的顏色。

You'll find that your homework is much easier to track when you stick to the color-coding method.

最後，你會發現，堅持使用顏色編碼法，家庭作業會更明瞭。

4. Stop the Madness with Homework Checklists

Are school mornings chaotic in your household? A checklist might cut down on the madness. The school morning checklist reminds students to finish all tasks, from brushing teeth to packing assignments into the backpack. You can use a checklist for every assignment to stay on track!

有課的早上，在家總是一片忙亂？也許，一份清單就能令你避免抓狂。每天早上，上學清單會提醒學生完成諸如從刷牙到把作業裝進書包的所有事項。因此，爲保持有序的狀態，你可以使用清單記錄作業。

5. Consider a Homework Contract

There are lots of benefits to establishing a clear set of rules. A written contract between students and parents can clear up any potential confusion when it comes to expectations. A simple document can establish:

建立一套清晰的規則，有很多好處。至於未來的期望方面，學生和家長制定的書面協議可以消除任何潛在的混亂。例如，可創建如下的文件：

What time of night serves as the homework deadline?

What students must do to keep parents informed of due dates?

What tools and technology the student can expect and not expect parents to supply?

What reward parents and students can expect for meeting expectations?

晚上完成作業的最後期限是幾點？

爲使父母知曉某些重要日子，學生必須做點什麼？

學生真正應當期望哪些工具和技術而非期望父母提供幫助？

計劃實現後，父母和學生可以期待什麼獎勵？

Students can reap the benefits of weekly rewards, and parents can relax by avoiding the unexpected interruptions and arguments at night.

如此一來，學生可享受每週一次的獎勵，父母也擺脫了夜間遭受意外打擾和爭執的可能，從而得以鬆一口氣兒。