The start of the school year is often filled with excitement and anticipation. Many children begin with enthusiasm, waking up on their own, showing interest in their classes, and excelling in their work. However, as the semester progresses, fatigue may set in, and motivation can wane. To help maintain a steady rhythm throughout the year, we’ve compiled these helpful tips.

  1. Commit Every Day to the Lord: Though it sounds simple, this step carries profound blessings. By committing the day to God, you demonstrate trust in Him and remain dependent on the One who knows all things. Remember to rest in His guidance (Psalms 37:5).
  2. Stick to Routines: It’s normal to become more flexible or lose some routines as life gets busy. However, maintaining beneficial habits is crucial. Encourage your children to go to bed early, prepare their clothes and materials the night before, and follow consistent homework and free time schedules. These routines foster responsibility and independence.
  3. Set Growth Goals: Identify academic, social, emotional, and spiritual areas where you want your children to grow. Create short, medium, and long-term goals, along with actionable steps to achieve them. These goals should not be vague but clearly written in an agenda or task list for regular review. Now that students have their MAP results, use this data to guide the setting of academic goals.
  4. Clearly Communicate and Model Expectations: Don’t assume your children already know what’s expected of them, even if they are older. It’s healthy to clearly communicate your expectations and remind them of the goals they’re working toward. Let them know you’ll support them through the process, but emphasize that it is ultimately their responsibility as students to meet their tasks.
  5. Evaluate Leisure and Recreation: Finding balance is key. Extremes—whether in overloading with activities or neglecting fun—are never helpful. Your child needs a healthy mix of responsibilities and recreational activities to face daily challenges with a calm mindset. As a parent, remember to schedule your own moments of rest and recreation, so you can manage daily tasks with energy and positivity.
  6. Keep Communication Open with the School: A common source of stress for parents is a lack of knowledge about upcoming events and the logistics involved. To minimize last-minute surprises, stay up-to-date with the school calendar and regularly check for important information shared by the school. If questions arise, don’t hesitate to reach out through the appropriate channels.

 

By: MECS Department of Psychology