Plan Accordingly

The first thing you should do before leaving for IC is tell your teachers you’re going to be absent. Make sure to tell them which days you’re missing and when you’ll be back. If you’re nervous to talk to them, feel free to shoot them a quick email. I like to schedule my emails a couple of days early, so I can give my teachers time to prepare. Another important thing is to check your class calendars and each syllabus to see if your teachers have them posted. Be sure to reference each assignment in your email or when you’re talking to them. Showing initiative goes a long way!

Keep Track of Your Assignments

Make sure you write down each assignment and, most importantly,y when it’s due. A great way to stay organized is by making a to-do list! I use to-do lists digitally and physically. I know everyone’s different, but I like to set reminders in the Reminders app on my phone. I love using the feature that gives you an early reminder! I use my Notes app all the time, too. I even keep little index cards at my desk where I write everything down. My best tracking method is my customizable Google Sheet! I highly recommend looking up a YouTube video or TikTok about how you can create your own.

Prioritize

Once you’ve written everything down, start with the assignments that are due the soonest. After that,t I would suggest starting with the ones you know will take you the longest. If some assignments are due on the same day, prioritize core subjects or subjects that don’t come as easily to you. I know it can seem overwhelming to decide what’s important, but once you start somewhere, you’ll be in great shape.

Use Your Time Wisely

I know time management isn’t always easy, so try to be honest with yourself. Always be realistic so you can avoid burnout. Similar to prioritizing, outline the amount of time you anticipate each assignment taking. For example, if you want to work on multiple assignments in one day, set time limits or break each one into sections. Even breaking assignments down into small chunks helps. Maybe you spend five minutes each day on different subjects that require different amounts of time. You could also use travel time to get some work done. Whether you’re traveling by train or airplane, use your hotspot! I don’t fly a lot, but I know tons of airplanes have WiFi now, so use that to your advantage! Even during Chofesh or when you’re in your bed and want to get some work done, that's amazing!

Have Fun

Although school exists and can be tedious, IC is meant to bring you joy! Don’t let the stress of schoolwork dull your sparkle. You should always know your limits. A couple of assignments shouldn’t make or break your weekend. If you want to relax and forget about school for a few days, you should! By no means am I encouraging laziness or procrastination. Ask yourself what will help your academic success and mental health in the long run. There’s no shame in taking a break or continuing to be on your grind!

Take Time to Rest

Once IC is over, don’t hastily open your computer and start typing. Give yourself some time to relax and unwind. The second you walk in the door, greet your parents and siblings. Tell them about the awesome weekend you just had! Eat some delicious food and reflect on how great it was to be with your people. Take a shower and have a nice nap. Don’t get caught up in your worries. It’s okay to take 30 minutes or even a couple of hours for self-care. You need to take care of yourself in order to produce your best work. IC also tends to make people sick, and if you don’t properly take care of yourself, that could be you, too!

Don’t Procrastinate

Even though you dream of your bed and binge-watching your favorite Netflix show, it’s important not to put off your schoolwork. If you don’t start sooner rather than later, more work will pile up when you get back to school. Start small or with an easier assignment if you feel unmotivated. Once you check off one assignment, you’ll feel like you can do all the rest in no time. If you have to take short breaks in between,n that’s okay too. Just remember that all the fun you had made it worth it!

Be Transparent and Upfront

If you need help with an assignment or are struggling to complete it, never be afraid to speak up for yourself. You should never be afraid to ask for help. As long as you’re honest, your teachers will see value in that. If you’re sick or your flight got delayed, your teachers will understand. At the end of the day, we’re all human. Most teachers are willing to work with you if you speak up. It shows great responsibility.