Tips for Going Back to School after Summer

As summer wraps up, it’s already time to gear up for the school year. Here are a few of our recommendations as we prepare students of all ages to walk into that classroom on Day 1. A little intention and prep can go a long way in making your student feel like a rockstar.

1. Review Academic Material

Before the school year begins, it’s a great idea to brush up on key concepts from the previous year. Spend some time each day reviewing subjects that were challenging or will continue in the new year. If you need a last-minute tutor for this, we’re here to help!

2. Set Academic Goals

Setting clear academic goals can motivate students and give them a sense of direction for the year ahead. Encourage students to identify a couple of key areas they want to improve or new skills they want to master. Writing these goals down and revisiting them regularly can be a powerful tool. If your student is working with a tutor, the tutor can help them create and stick to these goals. Here’s an example:

My goals are to stay organized with my schoolwork and turn in all my homework on time.

If you’ve never used “I am” statements, that can be a fun activity to try out and establish a tone of accomplishment right off the bat! Check out some examples of student goals, manifestation style:

• I am practicing my multiplication tables daily.
• I am improving my math skills every week and getting all A’s on my assignments and tests.
• I am consistently working on my college applications to meet deadlines, write compelling essays, and showcase my strengths.

3. Organize a Study Space

A well-organized, distraction-free study space can make a huge difference in a student’s focus and productivity. It’s time to clear that arts and crafts table and restock it with notebooks, pens, a calendar, and any other materials your student may need. A dedicated space helps reestablish the school year routine, reinforces the importance of study time, and cues that it’s time to switch from Summer Brain back to School Year Brain.

4. Re-establish Routines

Speaking of routines, getting back into an academic schedule is going to happen, whether we like it or not. If possible, gradually ease your student into a school-day schedule in the weeks before the first day of school. Maybe this looks like slightly earlier bedtimes or more quiet time for reading and studying during the day. Perhaps it even means an earlier wake-up time too, though that’s definitely easier said than done! If you can pull it off, a more gradual re-entry can help students adjust more quickly, reducing fatigue and stress in those first weeks of the school year.

We hope you’ve found some ideas for a smart, stress-free re-entry. Good luck with the transition back to school, and remember, we are here for you!