During this time, the WRHS School Counseling Department is providing quarterly newsletters to reach out and provide suggestions and strategies to help students better navigate their learning inside and outside of the classroom.

In this newsletter you will find:

• Effects of Organization
• Creating and Organizing A Home Learning Station
• TikTok Videos to help with learning in a remote setting
• and there's an APP for that!

Staying organized can have powerful effects on your academics, but did you know it can also benefit your mental health? Disorganization can cloud one's headspace. Research has found that by decluttering your workspace your brain is able to focus more on studying or completing the assignment at hand, rather than the clutter in your space. Finding an organization system that works for you and keeping it up, may make completing tasks easier because you know where to find what you need and are able to spend more time on your work. Organizing yourself can also be a great self-care technique and a good stress reliever!

• Get comfortable: Some students work well standing up, completing school work on the kitchen counter. Others like to work on the living room couch, with the help of a lap desk.

• Be able to spread out: Most students work best when they have ample space to spread out their materials. The dining room table is a good option. Also, consider an L-shaped desk. It allows students to have a place for their chromebook and a separate place for writing.

• Work in different locations: Moving locations increases novelty, which can improve focus.

• Use timers to start homework: If students lack the motivation to start an assignment, try setting a timer for 10 minutes and getting to work for this brief period. This can help students realize the task isn’t as overwhelming as they anticipated.

• Assemble a school supply kit: Place in a see through plastic container everything needed to complete assignments - pens, pencils, calculator, dictionary, etc. With this system it doesn’t matter where students choose to work. They can take their supplies with them.

• Create a filing system: Create a color coded filing system, with a color assigned to each subject. This way all work can be easily found in one place. Keeping a three-hole punch on the work space will also allow students to keep important papers in a binder.

• Provide a place for everything: Keep a holder for device chargers, a shelf for books, a bulletin board for announcements, a bin for completed papers, etc.

• Set a clean up time: Schedule a time each night to clean up the work area, so it’s organized for the next day.

Dolin, Anne, M.Ed., "How to Set Up an Affective At-Home Learning Station (and Get Your Child to Use It)." The Distance Learning Guide for ADHD Families 2020: 36-43. ADDitude Expert eBook. Web. 4 Nov. 2020.

Meet the Counselors

How to Stay Organized

How to Get Ready for the Week Ahead

DOs and DONTs of Remote Learning