Cfysly

Is it only what you mentally absorb and how you behave that count in reaching the top? Of course, sloppy and tired geniuses have been honored and awarded internationally. But how clean and orderly they kept themselves was also talked about unpleasantly. You do not want to be remembered this way, do you?
Before coming to school and no matter how tired or hurried you are, manage to a bath, brush your teeth, comb your hair, powder your face and wear clean clothes and footwear. Check that your books, notebooks and your school bag are also clean, usable and presentable. Be careful to maintain cleanliness and orderliness with your clothes, footwear and school things. Nobody wants or admires a slop. Even an intelligent slop. Always bring a comb, a hankie and possibly a toothbrush and small toothpaste along with your snacks in your school bag. Try to come to school early enough to have time to tidy yourself before classes begin. Comb your hair and tie it up (if you are a girl with long hair) or style it neatly (if you are a girl with short hair or if you are a boy). Wipe any dirt or smudge from your face, neck, arms or legs with your hanky. And brush your teeth after lunch if your classes end in the afternoon. Everyone wants to be near someone who smells clean and is clean and tidy from head to toes. Clean your shoes inside and out and check for cracks. Sew your torn socks and wash them daily.

Another saying goes that no man is an island. You cannot and should not go absolutely alone. You need company but the right company. If you value your current friends but they are an impediment to your studies, do two things. First, explain your desire to succeed in class and entice them to do the same. Second, if they refuse, politely say that you will have to devote your time for your studies and then leave all the fun to the holidays and vacations. If they are really your friends, they should understand and respect your wish. Give them time. They may eventually re-think their behavior and join you. But remain friendly to them. Greet them pleasantly when you meet and spend some time, but not in the same manner as before. They will get the message and understand you. You may even inspire them to follow your example. What is important is that you do not make them feel completely rejected and you remain friendly.
It may not be long before they are won over to your ways or you shall have found the kind of friends you deserve who will share your views about studies and bolster them. Water will always seek its own level.

Eat only healthful foods at a full diet every day. You are not only growing. Your ever-hungry brain also has increased needs for nutrients found in a balanced diet. The lack of nutrients is detrimental to vigorous studies — you will lose the energy and drive to learn and feel lazy and disinterested.
You do not need the details of what a balanced diet consists of. But you do know that all the known food values or nutrients are present in it and in the body daily in order to carry out its work for that day. Because of your intense mental exercise, your brain cells quickly dissipate and require replacements. These cells are made of proteins that must come also from animal protein sources such as milk, eggs, fish and lean meats. Plant proteins such as soybeans and seaweeds are not as good as animal sources.
Never underestimate the important role of nutrition in effective studying. It is not just the stomach pains of hunger than must disturb you and disrupt your rabid acquisition of knowledge. By nature, the brain gets hungry the most. More so when it is the most frequently used physical organ of the body. Respond to pangs of hunger promptly, therefore the high cost of protein foods may affect your ideal nutrition. If you have a backyard, suggest raising chickens to your parents for your immediate and cheap source of milk and chicken meat. You can even make money from it if your family can raise enough stock. You also insure a fresh and clean supply of proteins for the whole family.
Powdered milk turns out to be more economical than liquid milk. Choose full cream, not filled, milk for your requirements. Milk is an excellent memory enhancer. Despite the cost, it is a lifetime investment worth making.
If your food allowance is limited, choose the most nutritious meals at canteen. As much as possible, eat broiled or boiled protein viands where food values remain in the liquid. Natural nutrients are destroyed by frying. And do not be attracted to false advertisements by some ready-to-cook food manufacturers. Be wise. Eat foods in their natural state as much as possible and be sure they are clean when you eat and drink them.
Be similarly cautious when you eat at famous fast food centers where you often find yourself. There are meal combination consisting of proteins, vegetables and rice which you can enjoy, except that you cannot always afford them. But People ingenuity has made it possible to bring the cost of meals somewhat to affordable levels. Observe where schoolmates eat their meals at noon: they will lead you to places which sell relatively clean, nutritious and tasteful meals at prices.
If you are allergic to some foods or something prevents you from eating foods normally, your last resort is supplements. There are many in the market, some of them from plant sources or herbals. You can also take supplements if you suspect that you are not getting all the daily nutrients your body needs in your level of activity .
If you have no family doctor or it is prohibitive for you to maintain one, see your school doctor for any health questions. He can prescribe generic medicines and supplements for your needs. He can also give you a general check-up on a regular basis. You should likewise see the dentist every six months to insure dental health. Toothache is the most distressing pain and you cannot afford to suffer it when studying to get to the top.

Like any machine, your body must alternate between activity and rest. You cannot over-exert or over-rest it. Either way, you will have trouble. If over-exerted, it will wear out or collapse. You can get sick. If under-exerted, you will lose stamina and gain weight, plus other disorders that proceed from inactivity. Keep in mind that your entire pursuit is confined to the capabilities of this wonderful machine, called your body, but you must listen to its needs for both activity and rest.
You have no trouble being active. Studying feverishly is heightened activity, physical and mental. You may. in fact, be burning your energies up too fast with studying and support activities. You can, however, trust your body to complain when you are overworking it. Pains, dizziness, weakness and other disabilities are signals of misuse or abuse of the body.
But your body needs regular and sufficient breaks. So does your mind. When you feel tired, have time alone apart from others. You need time alone in contemplation or solitude to re-think the meaning of what you are doing, to reevaluate your present position. You need to recharge, and this can happen only when you are in a state of physical and mental rest.
You can do this right in your room, at the garden, in the chapel or in any safe room that is quiet enough to allow you the chance to review everything going on. Get back to your highest principles and analyze the details. Are you in the right track, or is there anything that should be re-arranged or re-organized? You need time for yourself to sort things out and that time is when activity stops for a while. Make it a habit to re-evaluate yourself and how you are going through life. This keeps you in touch with your principles and objectives, with God and with yourself.