Well kiddos, summer break is almost over and depending where you are you have from a few days to a few weeks to get ready for the upcoming school year. Remember preparation is key! Right now you should have plenty of time to make plans to set yourself up for success. So I want to go over a few tips for you to get ready for the start of school. Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” I don’t want you to fail and so here at Habesha Finance I am going to do my best to help you get ready for this school year coming up!

1. 1. Set end of the year goals and one year goals. You need goals. And it’s better to have realistic goals with a timeline you can work with. Your end of the year goals can be reading one or two books by the end of the year, performing 40 hours of community service or even learning how to drive.You also need to ask yourself where you want to be a year from now academically. This is especially important for those who within one to two years of graduating high school or college. Time is precious and you cannot afford to waste it. There is a great, rewarding feeling when you accomplish goals you’ve worked hard to accomplish. Keep at it and don’t give up!
   2. Join a club/organization. If you are not involved in your school, now is the time to start making plans to be active in your schools beyond the classroom. I encourage young people to join a few organizations/sports clubs at school, because this helps you grow as an individual and as a student. You will learn more about yourself while developing social skills that will benefit you tremendously.
   3. Create a study schedule. Once you know the classes you’ll be taking and the different organizations you will be involved in you need to set a schedule for studying. Stick to this schedule every day and do not stray from this. The more disciplined you are with your study schedule the better student you will be. Most students who are successful manage their time wisely and stick to a schedule that helps them become great students.

Yes, the summer break is coming to an end and the beginning of classes are right around the corner. However, I want you to do one more thing and that is enjoy the rest of your break with your families and friends. Have fun and be responsible with the remaining time you have before school starts. Your near and future success always depends on what you do right now. Do not delay and procrastinate actions you need to take today.