How to Start the School Year Strong

The start of the year always focus on strong study habits that, if implemented early and consistently practiced, will pay dividends throughout the year. This article is separated by middle school and high school to cover age-specific skills, but both sections are useful for students!

General Tips to Start the School Year Strong

1. Start your ‘school habits’ a week before school starts:

Activating school mode is challenging after summer break. To smooth this transition, students should start adjusting a week before school starts. Adhere to a school sleep schedule with alarms, set meal schedules, and impose technology limits or other house rules that are practiced during the school year.

2. Must-have item:

A planner! Organization is key to academic success and productivity, so make sure your student is set up with a paper planner (may be provided by school) or online tool (such as Google Calendar).

3. Come in with a (flexible) plan:

A quick reminder that coming into the year with a study plan is key, but allow for adjustments to cater to specific classes and teachers!

MIDDLE SCHOOL TIPS

The focus for middle schoolers is to introduce organizational skills, adjust to a busier school environment, and encourage self-advocacy in the classroom.

1. Creating academic structure at home:

Routine is shown to improve stress levels and overall health, improving our abilities academically. Middle school students can start to create routines focused on their physical study space/materials. Use a nightly checklist for backpack organization, create folders for each class, use a planner, and dedicate one location for studying and all school items.

2. Practicing communication and self-advocacy skills:

Encourage your child to talk to their teacher directly about academic issues, both in-person and by email (sitting down with your student to write an email can be a really beneficial exercise). While parents can assist as needed, students practice their academic independence and improve communication skills.

ACTION ITEM

Download and print our backpack organization checklist and keep it in a location that your student can check every night before school.

HIGH SCHOOL TIPS

The focus for high schoolers is to encourage academic independence and to raise their self-awareness abilities in accessing their academic performance and habits.

1. Check out class syllabi early:

If your class syllabus/supply list is available before school starts, be proactive in gathering materials beforehand or in the first week of school.

2. School reflection activity:

Have your student set aside time to reflect on last school year and goals for the upcoming year. Use this academic reflection worksheet to improve self-awareness, set goals, and identify specific habits that will help your student this year.

3. Take control of scheduling:

Encourage your student to map out all their academic and extracurricular activities in their calendar/planner each week. They should know all their responsibilities and actively add them to their schedule. This is important for academic independence throughout high school and into college.

ACTION ITEM:

Download and print the academic reflection worksheet and have your student spend 30 minutes answering the questions. Then have them place it in a visible location they can see throughout the week!

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