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I always get a black binder for my choir class and several notebooks. I usually get post-it notes and highlighters because most of the time my teachers require them. Also, a graphing notebook for math is a must! You can get good grades by turning in all your assignments (always!), and by studying hard for every test. Do not procrastinate on big projects! Usually waiting till the last minute significantly affects people's grades. Never cheat! Usually there are huge grade penalties for this! I'm sure you already knew that, though! :). Organize your binders every weekend. Group each subject separately so things will be easier to find. Keeping things neat can only help you, so take advantage of free time and use it to organize! Best of luck for the new school year.

BASICS

- No. 2 pencils

- Mechanical pencils

- Colored pencils

- Pencil sharpener (hand-held with a top to collect shavings)

- A large pink eraser

- Ballpoint pens (Get a few red ink ones too, because some teachers have students do peer editing.)

- Highlighters

- Spiral-bound or composition notebooks

- Loose-leaf notebook paper (Teachers can be picky about paper. Some middle schools ask that students use the college-ruled variety.)

- A ruler with English and metric measurements

ORGANIZATIONAL HELPERS

- Several three-ring binders (Some teachers require that a binder be used exclusively for their class.)

- A three-hole punch (a regular one or one that fits in a three-ring binder)

- A pencil case that fits in a binder

- Binder dividers (The kinds with pockets are good for loose papers.)

- Pocket folders

- Folders that fit in binders

- Agenda/Planner

- A calendar for scheduling assignments

- A sturdy, supportive backpack (Some schools do not permit rolling backpacks because of space considerations, so check with your school before considering this option.)

- Two combination locks (If the school lockers do not have built-in locks, you might need one for the hallway and one for the gym.)

- Flash Drive to save any important documents

STUDY AIDS

- Index cards, ruled and unruled (These are great for making flash cards.)

- Highlighters

- A calculator (Check with the math teacher first before investing in an expensive one. Graphing calculators, for example, are required in many high school math classes. Teachers advise parents not to buy a calculator with more functions than students will use.)

*******ORGANIZATION*******

GOALS. Set realistic goals at the beginning of the school year, and break those large goals into mini-goals. Write these goals down on index cards and keep them in a highly visible place where you can see them every day. Writing down your goals makes them more concrete, and motivates you to keep working towards them.

AVOID CLUTTER. At the beginning of the school year, you have no clutter. Be careful not to build clutter as the year progresses.

MAKE TO DO LISTS. Always spend a minimum of 15 minutes per day, preparing your To Do list for tomorrow. In doing so, you will know exactly what tasks you have to accomplish the next day.

EFFECTIVE STUDY AREA. Designate a quiet, well-lit area for studying. Don’t study in front of the television, or in an area of your home where you’re bound to be distracted.

USE A STUDENT PLANNER. Use a good student planner or organizer. The ones that have pocket folders, dividers and planning calendars are ideal.

USE ONE CALENDAR. Use one calendar to plan all of your school and personal activities, rather than two or more. Heed the old proverb, A man who wears two watches, never knows the correct time.

COLOR-CODE. You may consider color-coding similar activities on your calendar and binder. For example, highlight all upcoming tests in yellow, study time in green and recreational activities in pink, and also have color coded dividers. For example, red for math,green for english,and orange for science.

WRITE IT DOWN. When you learn of an upcoming test, event, or anything you must prepare for or attend, immediately jot it in your planner. Don’t wait for later, or you may forget about it.

BREAK UP YOUR STUDY TIME. Determine how many study hours you need, and schedule study time in a planner. For example, if you need six hours of time to study for a test, you may break that time up into six sessions, of one hour each.

SCHEDULE CONSISTENT STUDY TIMES. Set aside time every day for study, and make it consistent. For example, set your study time for each afternoon from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Whatever you do, avoid last minute studying and cramming.

BREAK IT UP. Break up big tasks, into smaller, bite-sized jobs. For instance, if you have to study three chapters in your history book, study one chapter at a time each day. If you have to work on a project, break it down into three or four stages.

EAT YOUR BROCCOLI FIRST. Imagine eating your broccoli before your dessert. What would be left for you to look forward to? Just the same, do your homework for your most difficult subjects first. Then, everything else will be a breeze, and therefore, more enjoyable.

GET ASSISTANCE. If you don’t understand a lesson, immediately ask for help. Don’t let it get to the point that you’re totally confused. A sibling, friend, parent or teacher can be a lifesaver.

For starters a binder.