5 Tips to Start off the Semester Strong

By now the glittering festivities of the holiday season have worn off as students (and parents) have shuffled their feet back to their desks for school and work. There’s always a bit of a slump as we part from a blissful school break and try to get back into the routine of “normal” life. However, as we enter this new year of 2021, let’s not continue with the weight of 2020 on our shoulders. Together, we can say goodbye to our woes of last year and ring in the new year with a fresh start to the semester.

To give you an extra boost, here are 5 tips we’ve gathered to help you and your student get off to a strong start for the new year.

1. Set new goals

People typically hit the year running with their New Year’s resolutions, and then you notice a gradual drop off as a few months pass by. But don’t let this deter you! Goal setting is a great way to start your students off with a solid foundation for the semester. There is a proper way to set goals that are feasible and attainable to ensure that no one gives up early.

We call them SMART goals, a project management tool originally created in the 80s and used widely by students and professionals alike. SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Based. An example for a SMART goal for an elementary student can look like this:

“I will learn my multiplication table up to the 10s by February 14 by practicing with my flashcards 3 days a week.”

Simple, right? Look down the road to the next few months to see what major things are coming up at your child’s school. When are spring parent/teacher conferences? Any major projects coming up? What subject areas is my student struggling in right now that need to get addressed? These are perfect guidelines to help you with goal setting and keeping your student on track for the semester.

https://www.whatihavelearnedteaching.com/teach-elementary-students-to-set-smart-goals/

2. Freshen up your learning space

Having an optimal space for schooling at home is a game changer for learning. Think, desk positioning, room selection, space to move, lighting, noise. Productivity and learning is greatly affected by the environment we provide our kids. We’re not saying you have to pull a Fixer Upper or Studio McGee level remodel to your home. A little goes a long way in this department. Try moving your learning space towards a window to catch some natural sunlight, or turning a desk around so it’s not facing a wall. Just like teachers rearrange desks in the classroom and change up bulletin boards and seasonal decorations, a little change here and there at home can do wonders for a child’s morale and productivity.

3. Re-evaluate routines

Just like setting SMART goals, it’s time to re-evaluate whether or not the routine or schedule you followed last semester still works well for this new year. Have your child’s classes changed? Is the workload the same? Did they add an online tutoring session or after school extra-curricular activity? 

You know your child the best; do they thrive with a busy schedule or do they need time for flexibility to rest or re-focus before homework time? Take a look at what parts of your day worked really well and let those be a baseline for what to keep and what to throw out the window. 

Perhaps your morning routine doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room because your child is in class. You can change up their afternoons instead and create some new or modified routines for them to look forward to later in the day. Don’t forget to allow space for a brain break and some fun. Sometimes a simple 5 minute fun activity or a scrumptious snack can be a great boost for your child in between classes. Be flexible and fluid with trying new things in your schedule to see what works.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

We’ve all seen it before, students unmotivated or slumped over and discouraged because they’re struggling with a subject or just burnt out from zoom fatigue. Thankfully there are many resources available to help in these situations and some of them won’t cost a dime.

Asking your child’s teacher for help is always the top choice we recommend for students struggling in a specific subject or having a hard time with motivation and/or behavior. Believe it or not, most teachers want to help students and they can be your child’s biggest advocate in their learning journey. Additionally, many schools have after school tutoring programs available for students, or free peer tutoring at the middle/high school levels. Some of your best resources can be found right at your fingertips. 

If your child’s school does not have tutoring, there are plenty of tutoring services that can be found online for children K-12. A few of the top tutoring sites out there are: The Princeton Review, Chegg, and eTutorWorld. 

YouTube also provides a ton of free videos to supplement classroom learning. Whether your child needs extra explanation for a difficult math equation or further practice on phonics, there’s probably a video for that. Here is a list compiled by WeAreTeachers.com with recommended YouTube channels to aid in your child’s learning: 20 Teacher-Approved Youtube Educational Channels.

5. Keep a positive attitude

Just like teachers set the tone for learning in a classroom, parents set the tone at home for their children. These are uniquely trying times, and sometimes keeping a positive mindset could seem far from a possibility. However, starting now, give yourself some grace. You’ve made it this far and you’re not completely alone. In fact, millions of families in the nation and around the world are on the same journey with you. Whether it be online school at home, struggles with zoom fatigue, juggling hybrid school schedules, or homeschooling, we’re all figuring out how to get through this unique school year. When possible, take time for yourself to rest and rejuvenate. Celebrate small victories at home, such as your 4 year old picking up toys on their own or your 13 year old not giving you an attitude when asked to do the dishes.

By starting small, we give room for growth. In the words of the late Martin Luther King Jr., “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”