ORGANISING SCHOOLWORK AND STUDY TIME IN SECONDARY 1

By Good School Learning Hub

For many Sec 1 students, school suddenly feels busier even when lessons do not seem much harder. Parents notice longer hours spent on schoolwork, yet students still feel rushed or unsure if they are managing time well. After years of supporting students through this transition, this experience is very common and usually reflects a need to adjust organisation rather than effort.

Problem Many students enter Sec 1 without clear systems for organising their work or planning their study time. In primary school, much of this structure was provided for them. When that support is reduced, students may feel overwhelmed by homework, tests, and multiple subjects happening at once. Parents may worry that their child is becoming careless, while students feel frustrated that they are always “catching up.”

Details:

In Sec 1, organisation becomes part of learning. Students are expected to track assignments independently, manage materials for different subjects, and decide when to revise rather than wait for reminders. Without simple systems, tasks can pile up and study time becomes reactive — focused only on what feels urgent. This creates stress even when the actual workload is manageable.

Solutions:

What helps most is building clear, repeatable routines. Keeping schoolwork organised by subject, recording homework consistently, and setting aside regular study time each week helps students stay in control. Study time does not need to be long; short, focused sessions that include reviewing recent lessons are often more effective than irregular, lengthy hours.

Alternatives:

Some students try to cope by studying only before tests, while others rely heavily on parents to remind them of tasks. These approaches may feel familiar, but they often delay the development of independence. Overly strict schedules can also backfire if they feel unrealistic. A simple, flexible structure usually works better than constant last-minute adjustments.

Further thoughts:

Organising schoolwork and study time in Sec 1 is a skill that takes time to develop. Early disorganisation is part of the adjustment process, not a sign of poor ability. With guidance, patience, and realistic expectations, most students learn to manage their responsibilities more confidently and build habits that support them throughout secondary school.