Tips for heading back to school

LHES students head back to school next week. If you haven’t already, mark your calendar for the first day of classes on Aug. 6!

It can be hard to adjust to a new grade, new teachers and an influx of homework and activities after summer vacation. However, parents can help their students achieve academic success and stay excited for the school year ahead with these tips.

Establish a routine

Transitioning from summer to a scheduled school day can leave students feeling overwhelmed. Try to get your child into the school mindset ahead of time so she doesn’t experience the back-to-school blues.

If you haven’t already, get your child back on a regular sleep schedule that involves going to bed and waking up earlier. Set bedtimes 10 to 15 minutes earlier every day to ease the transition.

If your child has been waking up late and skipping breakfast during the summer, start implementing a new routine for the school year. Have her pack her backpack and lay out her school clothes the night before. In the morning, wake her up with plenty of time to get ready and eat breakfast, so there’s no rush to get out the door.

Set goals

Will this be the year your child reads 30 books or becomes captain of the basketball team? Talk with your student about what he’s passionate about and help him set a realistic goal he can aspire to complete before the end of the school year. It can be academic or extracurricular, as long as it’s a positive goal that will challenge and help him grow.

Once you’ve decided on goals together, see how you can support or encourage him without going overboard. If he wants to get an A in science, help brainstorm science projects, but don’t come up with an idea for him. If he wants to get his first job, let him know about any openings you hear of, but don’t leverage your own relationships to get him hired!

Plan ahead

Back-to-school shopping lists usually include a planner or agenda for your student to keep track of assignments. Help your child plan ahead by setting aside some time to mark important dates, such as holidays and breaks, as well as recurring activities such as sports practice or rehearsal.

Once your child receives a syllabus from her teacher, usually on the first day of class, you can help mark the day projects are due or when midterms are scheduled. Encourage her to write assignments and deadlines throughout the school year. This way your child will play a role in managing her own schedule and workload, instead of relying on you to do so.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and have a happy and successful school year!