Back to school tips and tricks

1. Getting back into the school routine

Getting kids back into the school routine after summer break is one of the most important things you can do. Often we are so busy with the other aspects of our lives that we often forget about what we were doing during the school year. Kids get school supplies at their summer camp but never see the same teachers who guided them to their goals. Parents should talk with teachers at their kids’ camps and ask about any special instructions or help needed to ensure their kids return to class ready to learn.

Getting kids back into the classroom after summer break requires a plan. First, remind your kids that school is back for another year. Invite them to come along to school on the first day back and give them some instruction about what they need to do to prepare. If you have any special instructions, make sure your kids understand them. Have your kids write down the answers as they answer so you can review them before the next class.

Getting kids back into the classroom after summer break requires effort on your part. Make sure you are involved in all of the activities your child will be involved with. Teach classes together. Help monitor your child’s progress and get her help when she needs it. Show your children you are concerned about their educational progress by getting them involved in after school activities such as PTA meetings, band competitions, science fairs, etc.

Make sure you stay involved in your child’s teaching at home. Let your kids know that you are there for them; they need you. Be sure to show up for after school activities as well so you can be a positive influence on your child. If you find yourself in an isolated place, remind your child that you are not alone in feeling frustrated and let them know you are not the only one dealing with what is happening at school.

2. Using a daily planner with to-do lists   

If you are like most people today, you use a daily planner with to-do lists on it to help keep you on track. Perhaps you even use it as a reminder of what you need to do each day. The problem is that many of us forget or just don’t take the time to do some of the things we should be doing. If you have kids, then you know that getting them to do their homework is easier said than done. However, there are some simple things you can do to help with getting your kids to focus and do their homework on time. Once they are focused and doing their homework on time, you will notice that it will become much easier to get them to actually complete the assignment on time.

The first thing you need to do is go through all of your scheduled events and make sure you write down when you plan to do homework with them. This is not only true for school, but also for daycare, church, family activities, and anything else that has to be planned. Once you have a list of these items, then you need to come up with a way to organize them in a manner that makes sense to you. Most planners just use a color-coding system to group them and this can work well enough for some people. However, if you find the way you organize your planning to be more effective for you, then just use that method.

You also want to keep in mind that when using a daily planner with to-do lists, you should be making each item on the list as important as possible. For example, if an item is overdue, then you should work to get it done as soon as possible. On the other hand, if an item on your list is unnecessary, then you should eliminate it from your planning altogether. Just be sure to follow up with each item in order to make sure you don’t forget it.

You may also want to consider creating a separate planner for each household member, such as a mother or father, so that you can keep track of their schedules individually. This can be particularly helpful when you have multiple children or are caring for a disabled individual. By keeping their schedule separate from that of your spouse or partner, you will be able to better take care of them.

Using lists to plan out your day is not just useful because you get a daily reminder of what needs to be accomplished, but it can also help keep you on task. If you know exactly what needs to be done by a certain time, then you will be less likely to leave work unfinished or to procrastinate. It is human nature to procrastinate. So once you know exactly what needs to be done for the day, you are less likely to give into this natural tendency and will more easily stay on task. On the other hand, if you don’t know what needs to be done for the day, then you will be easily distracted and will more than likely leave work unfinished.

Finally, when you use a daily planner with to-do lists, you will also be able to see which projects are top priority and which can wait. For example, if you know that the bathroom tiles that need to be installed the next day are taking up too much of your time, you can put that in the schedule but not the laundry or vacuuming. This way, you know exactly which tasks are urgent and can be completed right away, so you don’t waste time or energy on unimportant projects. This will help you stay on top of your schedule and stay on budget.

3. Creating your study space 

When going back to school, you will have to have a place to do all your research. You can do this in your home or you can set up shop in a public area with a desk and chair. Some students feel that their own personal space is fine, but it’s up to them. No matter what study area you have in your home, make sure you keep it organized. There is no easier way to be bored in school than sitting in a pile of papers. Use the following ideas for creating your study area while going back to school.

When creating a study space it is important to keep this space dedicated for studying and work. Keeping this space clear of any other leisurely activities will help to increase productivity when working. Another way to increase productivity is to create a space that is conducive for learning – keeping it clean, organized, and well lit. Natural light is a great way to keep your space well-lit plus studies have shown that natural light has many benefits for mental health plus it can help to keep your utility bills low. If you plan on burning the midnight oil with all nighters then making a utility choice to a company with a cheaper rate is a great way to keep your energy bills low.

A desk is essential to any student who needs a place to work on his or her assignments. It’s helpful if the desk is set up with dividers so the student can work on their work independently. You can find some great desks at local college supply stores. The majority of them are under 4′ and they are designed to hold textbooks, pens, and other student related items.

Bookshelfs are another great idea for a study area. You can line them up along either side of the table so the student can easily find the book they need without having to move around. Make sure there are plenty of study space bars to keep the books in order. Most bookshelves come with multiple shelves so there is plenty of room for additional books.

One of the best parts of bookshelves is that they can be customized. You can have the shelves personalized with your name or a catchy phrase. You can have them lined with papers, notebooks, or even drawings. You can also have these bookshelves made to order or take one that is already in your home and change it to fit your student’s desk.

If you are on a tight budget, you can create a bookshelf for your desk. This is a simple project that doesn’t require any tools other than a screwdriver. All you need is a solid piece of wood to build the frame from and then attach shelves as needed. These can be real bookshelves with adjustable dividers or simply a flat desk with attached drawers.