School Strategies to Roll Out in the New Year

The month of January is synonymous with a chance for a “fresh start.” To help your student start the second semester as vibrantly and strongly as he/she began the first, implement the following 9 strategies guaranteed to improve overall academic success.

1.     Take inventory of what your student needs to be successful—in and out of the classroom. Getting low on paper or post-its? Is a Social Studies or Science fair on the horizon? If so, stock up on posters and display boards well before the deadline. Make time for a Target or Staples run!

2.     Color coding supplies by school subjects helps students stay organized. Be as specific as you can—down to the book cover, binder, and folder used for each class.

3.     Use a label maker to label everything (this includes uniforms, backpacks, and lunchboxes). For early learners, find out from your student’s teacher what needs to labeling and which supplies are communal.

4.     Print off school calendars to track important campus happenings, such as sporting events, curriculum night, and school closures.

5.     Research extracurricular opportunities your child can get involved in this year.

6.     Send a quick check-in email to your child’s teacher to start off the new semester.

7.     Establish consistent after-school routines to ensure an effective (and smooth) start to the school year.

8.     Create a designated zone in your house for studying that’s free of distractions—noises, interruptions, and Instagram. Help your student decide which organization system is best for his/her learning style—a Lily Pulitzer planner? iCal? Outlook? A massive dry erase board? The first couple of weeks of school is the best time for some tweaking—find what works, what doesn’t, and what method is best to implement the remainder of the fall semester (reassess at Midterms).

9.     Research ACT/SAT/SSAT testing dates, if applicable to your student, and decide which time frame is best for your family.