Website

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.

Educational Consultant

Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University.

wikiHow's Editorial Process wikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.

Forum Comments (1)

School stresses me out SO much! Why??
A big reason why students may feel overwhelmed is that they don't invest time and energy in developing their organizational and time management skills. I always recommend that students learn Stephen Covey's Theory of Prioritization. Imagine a graph with four quadrants, with one axis having the labels "Urgent" and "Not-Urgent" and the other having the labels "Important" and "Not Important." Then, tasks can be categorized into each quadrant, as seen below:

Q1: Important and Urgent: Things that are due today or tomorrow; these are either emergencies or crisis. (ex: finish an entire persuasive essay in one night.)
Q2: Important and Not Urgent: Long-term projects, studying in advance, or getting started on a task. (ex: doing homework due in a week.)
Q3: Not Important and Urgent: Interruptions, distractions, last minute events, and social situations. (ex: someone asks for a favor.)
Q4: Not Important and Not Urgent: Time waster - busy work, procrastination. (ex: Youtube, Netflix, etc.)

Most students leave assignments until they are both Urgent and Important, which (understandably) makes them feel overwhelmed. If, however, you are able to do your important assignments when they are not-yet-urgent, you'll have the time you need to calmly brainstorm and make a plan.

If I had a student who was behind in many of their school assignments, I would suggest that they take a weekend and turn it into a Homework Retreat. You can do this yourself or hire a tutor. Schedule an entire weekend to get all of your school and homework assignments completed. Setting aside just one free weekend will give you a chance to be fully caught up once you return to school the following week. When planning out your weekend, don't forget to schedule in breaks, snacks, rewards, and energizing activities.

Co-authored Articles (88)

How to Prepare for Your Classes: Tips for Creating a Study Timetable

Manage your time and conquer your classes with your own personalized plannerA study timetable is a handy, inexpensive tool that can help you get control over your study time. Basically, a study timetable gives you a pers...

How to

Register for College Classes

Whether you are an incoming freshman or an upperclassman, registering for college classes can be daunting. But if you just put some time into planning your semester ahead of registration, you’ll feel prepared and creat...

How to

Write TEEL Paragraphs

If you’ve ever written an essay for school, you may have heard of a TEEL paragraph. These are paragraphs that follow a defined and logical structure, helping you present your information in a clear, well-organized mann...

How to

Write a Letter Asking for an Extension

There are many times in life when you may need to ask for an extension. You may be in college and could use some extra time for a paper, or you may be struggling to complete a work project on time. Writing an effective a...

Quick Ways to Memorize Long Texts and Paragraphs

Your guide to the fastest techniques for learning long, difficult texts by heart If you've ever tried to memorize an essay, monologue, long answer, or other text, you likely just repeated the words over and over again un...

How to

Get a 100% on a Test

If you want to ace your next test, create a study schedule for yourself and spend at least 30 minutes each day reviewing your materials and going over flashcards. On the day of the test, review the material once more, an...

How to

Get Into Harvard University

Harvard is the oldest college in the United States and perhaps the most prestigious, too. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard has produced U.S. presidents, Fortune 500 CEOs, and Academy Award-winning actors. Har...

How to

Study For Exams

Taking exams is stressful, but you can make it easier by improving the way you study. Studying for your exams effectively and efficiently will keep you from feeling unprepared, and it will set you up for success!

3 Easy Ways to Request High School Transcripts

Learn how to get copies of your high school transcript for free Do you need a copy of your high school transcript to apply to college, find a job, or for your own personal use? If so, we’ve got you covered! In this art...

How to Become the Best Student

Follow these helpful tips to get straight As (and boost your self-confidence)Do you want to impress your teacher, parents, or friends? Maybe you just want to get the most out of your school year to set yourself up for su...

How to

Write a Study Plan for a Scholarship

If you are asked to write a study plan for a scholarship, you may not know where to begin. Basically, a study plan describes what you'll be studying and why. One common scholarship committee that asks for study plans is ...

How to

Be Intelligent

Do you wish you were smarter? Do you wish other people believed you were smarter? The latter may be simpler than the former, but whether you genuinely want to increase your intellectual capacity, or just want to reap the...

How to

Email Professor About Late Work

Follow these templates to get your professor to accept late work. With deadlines, jobs, activities, and relationships to juggle, managing your schedule as a student can be tough. If you’ve realized you’re going to mi...

How to

Pass Final Exams

If you’re a student, exams are an important part not only of any class, but also your final grade. Preparing throughout the semester is the most effective way to do well on your final exams. Ultimately, there’s just ...

How to

Make a Study Space

Do you have trouble studying? Do you doze off in bed when trying to learn about the Middle Ages, or get tied up with distractions around the dining room table when you’re supposed to be focusing on the periodic table?...

How to Study Efficiently (Top Tips & Techniques)

Best study strategies for working smarter not harder If you have a big test coming up or just want to do well in class, studying is one of the best things you can do to boost your grade. Even though going over things you...

How to

Drop Out of College

Let’s face it: college isn’t for everyone. Whether you’re taking care of a sick family member, can’t afford the steep tuition or just have other plans, there are a few things worth considering when putting your e...

How to

Write Research Methodology

The research methodology section of any academic research paper gives you the opportunity to convince your readers that your research is useful and will contribute to your field of study. An effective research methodolog...

How to

Memorize Quickly

Memorizing quickly is an important talent to have. Whether for school, work or simply to improve yourself, exercising your memory adds to your capabilities as a person and helps to keep your brain healthy. The art of mem...

How to

Be Accepted Into the National Honor Society

The National Honor Society is an American organization with chapters in high schools in all 50 states, several U.S. territories, and Canada. The NHS allows high school students with a dedication to the society's core val...
See more articles