Getting in Gear:
A Back To School Survival
Guide
By: Sylvan Learning Center
Despite the warm temperatures and
sunny skies, many students are feeling a shadow looming as back to
school season creeps closer. After weeks of lazy, summer days,
late nights, varying routines and minimal mental stimulation, the
return to school can seem overwhelming to students of all ages.
To help parents and children get ready
for the new school year, Dr. Richard E. Bavaria, Ph.D., vice
president of education for Sylvan Learning Center, offers several
tips to ease the transition from the beach to the classroom and
jumpstart sluggish summer brains.
STUDENTS:
For many students, the first day of
school doesn’t only bring new teachers and new friends - it can
also be a source of anxiety with homework assignments and tests
just around the corner. Starting the school year off on the right
foot can help minimize students’ stress levels throughout the
year.
Get Cleaning. A
dirty, cluttered room is not conducive to studying. Get organized
before homework starts piling up.
-
Remove
seldom-worn clothing.
-
Pack away
belongings not used on a regular basis.
-
For smaller
children, label areas so they can easily see where belongings
should go.
Carve Out A Homework Spot.
Whether it is in your bedroom, the basement, or a family office,
find an area where you can work distraction-free and claim it as
your official workspace.
Get Organized.
Organization is key to ensure you stay on top of the requirements
for each subject.
-
Use separate,
labeled notebooks for each class.
-
Create files
for each subject. The folders can hold assignments, essays,
handouts and notes taken during classes.
-
Purchase a
planner or calendar to keep track of important dates and
deadlines.
Set Educational Goals.
Whether it is striving for an A in a certain subject, handing in
all homework on time or preparing for tests well in advance,
setting goals can help establish a routine for the new year.
Stay On Schedule.
Minimize last minute cramming or deadline mix-ups by creating a
detailed school schedule.
-
Include all
classes, assignments and key dates, such as project deadlines
and test dates. Fill in new dates as they arise.
-
Schedule
specific times for studying, projects and extracurricular
activities. The more thorough the schedule, the more helpful it
will be to you.
Know The School.
If you ever feel swamped with back to school madness, ask for
help. Schools assist students with transitioning from one grade to
another. Meet with your guidance counselor and/or teachers. If you
are still nervous, ask your mom or dad to drop you off at school
on the first day of class.
Be Adventurous.
Step out of your comfort zone this school year by trying new
things academically and in terms of extracurricular activities.
-
Try every type
of class and/or activity. You never know what your strengths
are until you experience as much as you can.
-
Challenge
yourself. If you have the opportunity, take the hardest classes
- not the easiest subjects.
-
Ask questions.
There is nothing wrong with not always knowing the answer.
Asking questions is the best way to learn!
Think Positive.
Yes, going back to school means homework and early mornings. It
also means reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people,
resuming fun extracurricular activities, learning more about your
favorite subjects and improving on your last year’s performance.
PARENTS:
While the idea of waking up at the
crack of dawn to prepare lunches, fighting over appropriate school
attire and regulating the amount of television watched might have
you frazzled, take solace in the fact that you can play a big part
in getting your children motivated and excited to tackle a new
school year.
Depending on your child’s age, your
role in the above-mentioned tips will vary. The following are
helpful ideas to ease kids of all ages back into learning mode:
Help Your Child Discover
His/Her Learning Style. People learn in
at least eight different ways, according to the Multiple
Intelligences Theory: visually, verbally, physically,
mathematically, musically, naturalistically, through group
activity or through quiet thinking time. Talk to your child’s
teachers about your child’s learning strengths and how best to
support them.
Get Back In The Routine.
Ease the transition from lazy summer days to the structure of the
school year by re-establishing bedtime, mealtime, reading and
homework routines. Talk with your child about the importance of
structure and how routines help ensure that he is not overtired or
overly anxious about schoolwork.
Develop A Family Event
Calendar. One of the most helpful tools
for getting organized is a family event calendar. To ease the
chaos, track school programs, volunteer work and after-school
activities. Family time management is essential if you are going
to avoid the tumultuous frenzy of disorganization.
-
Depending on
your children’s ages, this calendar can be on construction paper
with large squares to write in all necessary information, or it
can be produced on a white board so that it is easy to revise.
-
If it is
color-coded by family member, you can clearly see who has an
activity scheduled and when the event occurs.
-
Place the
calendar near the telephone, so when a friend’s mother calls to
invite your child to a birthday party, you will know instantly
whether it fits within your family plans.
Purchase School Supplies In
Advance. Avoid the last-minute rush by
purchasing supplies at least one week in advance. Take your
child. She can feel excited and in control by choosing her
favorite colors and designs.
Be A Cheerleader.
Encourage your child to share any concerns he has about returning
to school. Reinforce positive feelings by talking with your child
about learning and achievement. Support his academic interests and
encourage him to get involved in extracurricular activities at
school.
For more educational resources for
children in grades pre-K through 12, please visit
www.educate.com or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.
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