It’s that time of year again. Soon we’ll be trading pool days for school days and once the newness of the first few days of school wears off, it will be time to get down to business. The start of the new school year is a chance to help your kids be better organized, study more, manage their time better and put in a little more effort. By adapting Stephen R. Covey’s bestseller for business success, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you and your kids will be on track for a productive and learning-filled school year.
Habit 1: Be Proactive
“Be Proactive is about taking responsibility for your life.” Setting goals is a great way for kids to take charge of their studies. Setting goals at the beginning of the school year is helpful for both kids and parents. Goals will help your kids stay on track and you will have a way to check up on their progress.
Goals can be big or small, such as raising a grade in math or consistently turning homework in on time. Setting both long- and short-term goals will help your kids feel like they are accomplishing things along the way. Be sure to check in with them every now and then to see if goals need to be adjusted.
Habit 2: Begin With the End In Mind
“Begin with the End in Mind means to begin each day, task, or project with a clear vision of your desired direction and destination.” So, what does your little Einstein want to accomplish by the end of the school year? And, what do they need to get them there? Help your kids to implement the tools and systems that will help them accomplish their goals and stay organized. Starting the school year with all the right supplies is a great first step.
Work with your child to create a designated study spot in your home, whether it is in your kid’s bedroom or at the kitchen table. Try to keep the area quiet and away from distraction. Kids should also utilize some kind of calendar, whether it’s an old-fashioned paper copy or a digital one on their phone, they should keep it updated with tests, assignments and other deadlines. By staying organized and on top of their calendar, your kiddos will be in a much better position to reach their goals.
Habit 3: Put First Things First
“To live a more balanced existence, you have to recognize that not doing everything that comes along is okay.” Most kids today have hectic schedules; between soccer, dance, cub scouts, theatre classes and more, finding a good time to do homework can be a challenge. Have a frank discussion with your kids about when enough is enough. If your child is having a hard time keeping up academically, they may need to cut back on some of their extra-curricular activities.
You’ll also want to talk to your kids about when the best time to study each day is and then create a schedule. For some kids they may need to finish their homework right after school. Before or after dinner may work better for others and a few may do their best thinking late at night or early in the morning. No matter what it is, write the designated study time on a calendar and make sure kids get their homework done each day.
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
“Win-win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions.” Encourage kids not to save their most challenging subjects to the end. Waiting until the last minute to start a big and difficult subject or project will only add stress and create a sense of dread. If kids start with the hardest work or the subject they enjoy the least, once they get through it, moving on to the subject they enjoy and excel at will feel like its own reward – a “Win Win”!
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
“Communication is the most important skill in life.” Make it clear to your child that asking questions is not a weakness. Asking good questions can help kids better understand and find out what they are most interested in learning. If your kiddo is struggling or wants to spend extra time on a certain subject, foster an environment where they aren’t afraid to come to you or their teacher. If your child is really struggling you may need to seek outside help, like a tutor. Model good question-asking behavior by staying interested in what your kiddos are learning and asking questions of your own when you need help.
Habit 6: Synergize
“To put it simply, synergy means “two heads are better than one.” Synergize is the habit of creative cooperation.” It may be beneficial to help your child create a study group. Working in groups can help kids when they’re struggling to understand a concept and can enable them to complete assignments more quickly than when working alone.You may want to ask your child’s teacher or other parents for recommendations on starting a study group. Keep groups small and structured to ensure the maximum benefit to participants and reduce distractions.
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
“Sharpen the Saw means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have–you.” A healthy student is a good student. Make sure your little learners are eating healthy meals and snacks each day to keep their brains strong and ready to work. Also, studies show that students who take breaks from studying to do physical activity learn better, so encourage exercise breaks every so often or go for a walk or play a quick game of basketball to alleviate the stress of studying.
What good study tips do you recommend for the new school year? Tell us in the comments below!
