The day students all over the nation dread has come: the first day of school. Although these five words may send chills down your spine, here are some tips that’ll help you survive the next ten months of the 2016-2017 school year.

1. Stay hydrated.

Water enables the body to maintain homeostasis, lubricating joints for smooth movement and transporting nutrients. Maintaining your health by drinking water improves cognitive abilities and visual memory. Water also decreases fatigue (so if you’re on your way to a lecture that you know will make your eyelids heavy, make sure you have a cold bottle of water on hand).

1. Start the school year strong.

When your teacher introduces the basics of the course on the first few days of school, make sure you study it thoroughly. Building a strong foundation allows you to make connections later on during the school year when new concepts and materials are introduced.

1. Start developing good study habits.

Keep track of how long it takes you to do certain things such as homework for a class. After keeping track of this, start to schedule your weeks ahead. One way you can keep track of your completed tasks, current assignments, and future plans is by creating a bullet journal. Bullet journals are subjective so you can make the layout and decorate it to your personal preference.  

1. Reward yourself.

After working hard it’s nice to give yourself a treat to reinforce your study habits. Whether it’s eating ice cream or buying new clothes, rewarding yourself for your academic successes will encourage you to continue to make the same smart decisions for your future while also having a little bit of fun.

1. Know your limits.

Students juggle countless responsibilities such as school, work, part-time jobs, club activities, volunteering, and sports practice. Overfilling your schedule causes stress which can lead to long-term heart problems, muscle tension, and depression. Always put your physical and mental health before anything else. Remember, in order to tackle the challenges ahead your body and mental state must be in tip-top shape.

Follow these five tips and you’ll be on your way to a successful school year!