The habits that students develop in the first month of a new school year can set the tone for the entire school year.
To prevent last year’s struggles from reappearing in a new grade, it’s important to ensure that students develop good school habits early in the new school year.
Once the back-to-school jitters have worn off, students are underway! How the school year plays out depends a lot on the habits they build now.
Forgetting work. Procrastination. Disorganization. Poor grades. With the right school skills and habits, students can prevent these common school problems, and many more, from interfering with their success this year.
Avoid Last Year’s Struggles: A First Month of School Checklist
Now that school is back in session, ensure that students are on track to avoid common pitfalls with this checklist.
Routines to Jump Back Into Right Away:
1. Choose a Daily Homework Time
Doing homework is a reality for all students; the sooner that students build reliable homework habits, the easier that homework becomes. As much as possible, complete homework and school during the same timeframe each night. Consistency helps build this habit and gets students into “homework mode” quicker.
No assigned schoolwork? No problem! Review notes, organize the bookbag, or read ahead.
2. Go Screen Free
Students get into the homework groove faster without their cellphones. Nothing causes more distraction during homework time than pings and notifications. Set the cellphone aside during homework time or turn on “do not disturb” for a period of time. Use the homework time to charge your device, preferably in another area, out of reach.
3. Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Planner
Being organized is a skill that requires effort to develop. Luckily, students have planners and agendas to help them keep track of their homework and assignments. Writing in planners by hand, rather than typing into an app, has been shown to be more effective for longer-term recall.
4. Motivation & Procrastination
Students all get tired and unmotivated from time to time. The urge to procrastinate on homework and assignments is common; research shows that students tend to procrastinate when they don’t fully understand an assignment or don’t know how to get started. Be aware: procrastination, while common, often leads to time crunches and poor grades.
Learn how to manage procrastination
5. Use More Effective Study & Homework Techniques
Re-reading notes may feel like studying, but it isn’t actually an effective way to study. To use their homework and study time effectively, students need to use active study skills such as reading aloud, making notes, self-quizzing, and paraphrasing.
6. Monitor Frustration & Stress Levels
School stress can sneak up on students, especially in the upper grades. When students are balancing a challenging curriculum, social and family lives, part-time jobs, and plenty of schoolwork, it becomes easy to feel overwhelmed. A reluctance to go to school is a sure sign that something may be amiss. Be sure to communicate openly and without judgment about what is going on at school. Remind students that help is always available.
7. Communicate Regularly
The first report card of the year shouldn’t be the first sign that things may be off-track. Regular communication between students and parents about schoolwork, tests, assignments, and homework keeps everyone informed. Regularly checking in with the teacher–not only at report card time–goes a long way toward preventing issues from becoming unmanageable problems.
Start Today to Avoid Last Year’s Struggles
Whether it is homework, studying, tests, disorganization, or stress, early intervention in the school year is important for setting the right tone for the year ahead. It’s never too late to start!
Get help with GradePower Learning! Our personalized programs ensure that students build the school skills they need to make this school year great.
For school success that lasts all year, enroll today!
