Making the transition from a long break back to being a student again can be tough no matter what grade your foster kids are in. However, a little bit of pre-planning, and a touch of organization, can make the difference between them feeling scattered, and feeling like they’ve got this.
If your kids need to get back to school this coming semester, here are a few simple things you should keep in mind.
Tip #1: Go Back To Your Old Bedtime A Few Weeks Early
While an alarm will wake you up, it won’t help you feel rested and functional. If you’re used to being on a summer schedule, then take Care‘s advice and get back to a school-time sleeping schedule about two weeks before the semester actually starts.
You might feel weird setting an alarm when you’re still technically on vacation, but getting used to the schedule you’re going to be following the rest of the year will allow you to get up without feeling groggy, and help you concentrate on your class work without feeling like you needed a few more hours of sleep. Because you’ll have to adjust eventually, so cut yourself a break and get started early.
Tip #2: Organize Your Mudroom
There’s nothing worse than when you need to fly out the door, but you can’t find all your necessities. From your backpack, to your shoes, to your coat, Good Housekeeping suggests keeping all the necessities in one place near the door. This will typically be in the mudroom, but if you have space in the garage, or just on the back of a bedroom door, that can work as well. The key is to make sure you get in the habit of putting all your stuff in one place so that you’re ready to step into your shoes, shrug on your backpack, and step out the door in a matter of seconds, rather than doing an early morning scavenger hunt.
Tip #3: Download a Calendar App (And Use It)
We live in a technological future, and it’s important to use the tools you have available to stay on top of stuff. A calendar app can fulfill the same function as the old-fashioned school day planner (in terms of keeping notes), but they also have the ability to be shared with parents. So if a student marks down they have a test on a certain day, or a project due during a particular week, their parents know as well. This helps prevent last-minute rushes to burn the midnight oil on big projects, and establishes clear lines of communication about what events are going on in a student’s life.
Tip #4: Keep Some Extra Supplies On Hand
There are certain things you’re just going to need during your school day. Pens, pencils, notebooks, as well as a thumb drive, and other miscellaneous items. To avoid serious problems, make sure you have some back-ups on hand. Keep them in your backpack, or your locker, ensuring that no matter what issue you run into that you always have something to fall back on. Cloud tools and online access are also important to set up, ensuring that you can always retrieve your work when you need it.
Tip #5: Choose A Dedicated Homework Area
Doing homework is tough, but it’s even tougher with all the distractions the modern-day assault students with. Having a designated place to work can make a lot of difference, so many sure you set aside a location that gets you in the mindset that it’s time to work. It can go a long way toward helping you keep your focus, and getting your work done that much more quickly.
For more tips on how you can help your foster children stay on top of their needs, simply contact us today!