Keeping up with things at school

Family changes can be difficult and sometimes it is not easy to catch up with the 'normal' things in life. Your school work can suffer because your thoughts are far away from studying, reading and doing your homework. You might find it hard to concentrate for a while.

You will feel better soon. It just takes some time. If your parents haven't already talked to your teacher tell your teacher or school counsellor about what's happening for you at the moment. It's always better to let others know so they understand.

Here are some tips to help you keep up with things at school:

• Do things in short bursts: It is more efficient to learn for 2 hours a day on different days than 6 hours on the same day
• Use a calendar and have days that are reserved just for school work
• Write a list of things you have to do and tick them off when you have finished. You will see what a good feeling it is when you see how much you have done!
• Organize you desk at home: Put away everything you don't need for your school work; get together everything you do need
• Switch the radio and TV off while studying

• Study in different ways: read out aloud, draw pictures or touch things. The more ways you use, the more you will remember
• Write things down in your own words
• Repeat what you've learnt regularly
• You can use little cards to write questions on one side and the answers on the other. So it is like a little quiz you can play or you can ask your parents or friends to play with you.
• Have breaks
• Give yourself a reward after good work