Falling behind? Here’s how to get back on track.

No matter the reason, falling behind on schoolwork can be disheartening. While it might seem like a big task, rest assured there are plenty of ways to catch back up on your school work.

1. Get clear on what you’ve missed

Sweeping everything under the carpet and pretending that you aren’t behind on schoolwork is an attractive option, we know. But it will come back to haunt you!

Our first step is simple – find out what it is that you’ve missed. Organising a meeting with a teacher can be helpful here as they can clearly identify exactly what work you are needing to complete. Otherwise, talking to a friend from the class should do the trick.

Write this all down, create a list, do whatever you need to do to have a clear understanding of the content that you are behind on.

2. Set time aside to catch up

Once you know what needs to be done, get organised. One of the best ways to get back on track with your school work is to designate a specific time to catch up. Don’t neglect the current work that you are learning in class. You need to continue learning AND catchup at the same time to avoid getting stuck in a cycle.

Create a homework or study plan and do a little bit each day – you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can catch back up to the rest of the class.

It is important, though, to be realistic about how much you can do in a designated amount of time – the last thing you want to do is burn out! Make sure your study plan is realistic and achievable.

3. Get support

Teachers are obviously at school for a reason. If, during your catch-up sessions you come across topics or ideas that you can’t make sense of on your own, don’t suffer silently – talk to your teacher! They will be able to explain tricky concepts to you in the same way they did to the class.

If you feel that you need some extra support, this is a good time to consider getting a tutor. Feeling confused or uncertain about a subject is one of the best reasons to contact a tutor, as they are there to support your educational wellbeing and gain confidence in class. Tutors are also great at explaining tricky concepts 🙂

4. Think about how to avoid getting behind in the future

Now that you have been through the experience of falling behind in class, we’re guessing you don’t want to replicate it. Get organised and create a plan to help you avoid falling behind in the future.