David Borgenicht: The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Middle School

5 Break fast.

Every twenty to thirty minutes, take a break. Stand up, shake out your limbs, do whatever makes you feel human again. A short burst of movement gives your body a breather, so you can hit the remaining work like a hammer.

Know what’s better than finishing your homework? Getting a reward for doing it! Promise to do something you love when you’re done and you’ll have extra incentive to finish fast.

1. Ride your bike around the neighborhood knowing you’re free at last!

2. Find the funniest clips online and laugh for as long as you want.

3. Call your friend—and you don’t have to talk about homework!

4. Try getting to the next level on your fave video game.

5. If it’s sugar you crave, give yourself a little. You’ve earned it!

No one, but no one likes tests. Know why? ’Cause they “test” you! It can feel like someone’s poking you in the head, squeezing your brain like it’s a melon at the market. Here are a few test-taking tips that’ll stop you from going bananas.

1 Pool brainpower.

Harness your friends’ superpower smarts by studying together. Allison is the fractions master, but Raviv is an expert at prime numbers. You need ’em both around to get an A on the killer math test.

2 Host a game show.

Change the mood from “ugh, test coming” to “we’re hanging out and having fun!” This will let your poor, stressed-out brain relax and absorb the material. Make a mic out of a hairbrush or spoon and take turns being the game-show host. See who can answer the fastest. If you’re stumped, just hearing the answer from your friends will help to stick it in your brain.

3 Transform into your teacher (only temporarily, don’t worry).

Ever wonder why your history teacher knows so much about history? It’s because teaching something is the best way to learn it. Once you get a section of the material cracked, teach it to one of your study buds, or unleash your wisdom on a family member.

4 Create your own mnemonic devices.

If you have to memorize a poem and present it to the class, put it to the tune of your favorite song. When it’s your day to present, sing each line in your head first, then say it out loud (unless you want to make it a truly memorable musical performance!). Even vocab words are easy to remember if you make up sentences like, “The hirsute old man looked like he was wearing a hair suit.”

The good news is that the answer is right before your eyes. All you need to do is choose it! Here’s how.

1. Read the question twice.Read the question twice. Now you’ve probably already thought of the answer before looking at the options.

2. Off with their heads!Immediately cross out the answers you know are wrong, then pick the best of the rest.

3. If two choices are opposites,then one of them is probably completely, totally, and awesomely wrong, making the other…Bingo!

4. Teachers rarely give “trick questions,”so don’t try to out-think the test-maker, or else your head might get twisted up in knots.

5. Go with your gut.It lets you know when you’re hungry—trust that it’ll help guide you here, too!

If two heads are better than one, think how much higher the “better factor” goes when you get to work in a group. Applying multiple minds means work gets divided up and done faster, and chances are you’ll wind up doing the part you like or know best. Here are some ways to keep the team working like an elite crew of taskmasters.

1 Split skills.

Everyone should have a job and know her part. Pick (or elect) a leader if it makes sense to do so, then draft a list of names, roles, and due dates. The more organized you can be from the start, the faster you’ll get to the end.

2 Power to the people…

When discussing your group-project plans, let everyone speak. Some people are going to be quieter than others, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have interesting ideas. Encourage Silent Bob to speak up by going around the circle and getting everyone’s opinion.

3 There’s no such thing as a bad idea.

Especially during the brainstorming phase, let every idea flow. Avoid dismissing or criticizing suggestions, because that will make people clam up. An idea that might seem strange at the start may well be a stroke of genius—or could inspire one—if you allow yourself to ponder it.

4 Use the wisdom of crowds.

If your group disagrees on how to attack a problem or the best way to present an answer, be democratic and encourage a vote. Debate the issues, let each side have its say, then let the group decide. Your group motto? “Everyone has a voice.”

5 Take on slackers… positively

Sometimes a group member will avoid doing his fair share. Instead of getting mad at the person (which will only make him want to work less… if that’s even possible! ), engage him in a positive way. Talk to him about the task he was assigned, then ask if he needs any help or if he would prefer to work on another part of the project. Focus on how the group needs his contribution, not on what he’s doing wrong.

BE AWARE• Occasionally, no matter how much you encourage a certain teammate, that person might disappoint you, forcing you to step in and pick up some of the slack. If that happens, continue to involve Kid Slacker so he not only contributes something, but he also knows he owes you one!

Even the shyest person can become a great group leader. Here’s how.

• Come into the first meeting with a basic schedule.Make a plan, even if that might change down the line. People are likely to follow someone who seems prepared.

• Flattery will get you everywhere.Try lines like, “You’re such a good artist—it would be so cool if our very own Picasso could do this poster for us!”

• Be positive.Instead of, “That cover page is pathetic” try, “Great start. Why don’t we all think of ways to improve it?”

• Don’t get carried away.No matter how good a leader you are, the group is not going to clean out your locker, wash your gym uniform, or feed your fish.