QPL's Teen Committee has come up with these great steps to help you make the most of your upcoming school year.

Don't miss the Grand Reopening of QPL's newly renovated Teen Centers, and the debut of our new Teen Center at Long Island City Library, starting Tuesday, September 12! Learn More.

5 Steps to a Successful School Year!

Step #1: Build a Healthy Sleep Routine

It's important to build a healthy sleep routine so you can feel mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared for the school year.

Build your sleep routine by:

• Turning off your phone and any other devices an hour before bedtime, to lessen mental stimulation before bed.
• Getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
• Setting your alarm clock at night to wake you up early enough to get prepared for your school day. (You can even do some of your preparation the night before, like making your lunch or packing your school bag.)

Step #2: Make a Meal Plan

Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day.

The word "breakfast" broken up means to break the fast. Your body needs nourishment after sleeping for hours.

The night before, plan out your meal options for the morning:

• Do you have enough time to make a warm meal, or only time for a quick bowl of cereal?
• Does your school offer breakfast services?
• Are you sticking with a New York classic and getting your bacon, egg, and cheese from your local deli?

The options are endless; just be sure to plan your morning meal according to your needs.

Step #3: Create a Schedule

After the first day or first week of school, you should know what classes you are taking this year and the assignments that are due in the first few weeks of the semester.

Each semester, plan accordingly and schedule out what needs to be done during the school year, and at what time.

You can do this by:

• Buying or creating your own yearly planner, or
• Creating a schedule on your phone’s calendar by color-coding your subjects and assignments.

Step #4: Know Where You’re Headed

Starting a new grade or a new school can be scary.

But if you plan beforehand, you can lessen your anxiety.

• Check the average time it takes for you to commute from your home to your school.
• If you're not riding a school bus, see what public buses or trains are the best ones to use to get you to school on time.
• Use the time before school to make sure your train or bus is running on schedule.
• Have a back-up plan. If you miss your school bus, or the train or bus you normally take isn't running properly, what are some other ways to get to school?
• Once you’re at school, do you know where to enter and where your first class is? (Especially important if you're at a new school.)

Planning all of this ahead of time will lessen your anxiety.

And keep in mind that it’s okay to ask for help!

Step #5: Set Your Intentions for the School Year

Do you want to make new friends?
Join new clubs or activities after school?
Do you want better grades or test scores?

Set your intentions for this school year right before school starts, and make a plan of action to succeed. Success starts with you!

If you are not sure where to start or how to make a plan of action, remember that it is okay to ask for help.

And Here's an Extra Step!

Visit one of our 5 Teen Centers (Cambria Heights, Central Library, Flushing, Long Island City, and the Far Rockaway Teen Library), where our staff can help you plan out all the steps on this list.

Queens Public Library is here to help you have a successful school year!