7 Ways to Start the School Year Right

Children can find it challenging to return to school after playing all summer long. There are many ways to help your child get back on track. Before the school year starts, make sure they have all their ducks in a row. Go over summer reading lists, school supply lists and summer goals, then start the school year right with these tips. 

Set Goals

Work with your child to set achievable goals for the year. Make sure they write them down in a place where they can look at them later. As they achieve each goal, they’ll be more confident and motivated to get through the challenging parts of the year. Examples of goals for students could be joining new extracurricular activities, improving grades in specific subjects, or auditioning for talent shows.

Start a Routine

Summer break shakes up your child’s schedule, which can make it difficult to get back into the swing of things. Ease into a routine by starting with set times for waking up, going to sleep and eating meals. Set aside specific times for doing homework so your child doesn’t procrastinate and allow it to pile up. Having a routine will make getting back in the groove much easier.

Eat Well

To thrive in school, students need to ditch the bad eating habits they picked up over summer. You can’t monitor everything your child eats, but you can make sure they start the day with a healthy, filling breakfast. Children and teens may forget to eat when getting caught up in other activities, so pack healthy snacks to help hold them over until dinner.

Plan Ahead

The best way to save time is by planning ahead. Rather than relying on yourself to wake up early, have your child pack their backpack and lunch the night before school. Set out clothes the night before, as well, so you don’t end up in a situation where they can’t find something clean to wear. Look at the next day’s schedule together so you can prepare for what’s ahead. 

Keep Communication Open

Communication can solve most problems families have. Take time to talk to your child about how they’re doing. See how school and extracurricular activities are going. Make this a daily habit so that when your child does struggle, they’ll come to you. If something’s not working, brainstorm ways to fix it with your child. Listen without judgement, and provide insight when asked.

Give Everything a Place

Getting organized is difficult for children and adults, especially when each item doesn’t have its own place. When you’re constantly on the move, it can be easy for things like house keys and lunch boxes to get lost in the shuffle. Find a place for every item, especially ones that are used daily. If your child needs help remembering where things go, consider labeling the “homes” for each item. 

Schedule Rest

Taking time to rest is just as important as working toward goals, especially for growing bodies and minds. Just like adults, children need time to de-stress. Between school and extracurricular activities, your child may become overwhelmed by everything. If the problem is too many extracurriculars, see what can be removed for the sake of their well being.

Starting the school year right will help your child achieve their personal and academic goals. With over 57 years of academic excellence, St. Teresa Catholic School, a Titusville private school, provides a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop to their full potential. Students foster qualities that are essential for lifelong learning and are equipped for future success. To learn more about why St. Teresa is the perfect fit for you and your student, contact us today.