The start of a new school year is approaching, students who start the school year with a plan are more likely to achieve academic success. That is why we want to share with you 5 tips to set your student up for an outstanding 2023-2024.

It is important to establish some rules from the beginning to follow through the entire year, this will help reduce anxiety and replace it with a sense of calm. Focus on creating good habits rather than only grades, if you do that the grades will follow.

1) Communicate With Teachers

Establishing a good relationship between teachers and parents from the beginning of the school year sets a strong foundation for the student, which will have a positive impact in their academic performance.

When teachers and parents communicate, they can better understand what works for their students, where they are at in their learning, what they are struggling with and how they can get the extra help they need. Creating a link between home and school can also help address any behavior problems at an early stage.

It is important that they also share the good news; they need to talk about their student’s strengths and discuss a way to help them develop these talents.

2) Organizational Skills

Organization isn’t just about keeping track of things. It’s also about organizing your thoughts, managing your time, planning, and knowing how to get things done. It means being able to set goals and do things in the right order.

A student without organizational skills has trouble setting priorities, making plans, sticking to a task, and getting things done. The importance of having these skills increases as the student moves through different grades.

Students with strong organizational skills get things done in a timely manner and they do it right because they have the ability to focus on what needs to be done and can come up with a plan to do it.

To help your student develop their organizational skills, introduce checklists and age-appropriate planners even before the first day of school.

3) Time Management

Time management is an essential skill for students to master. It helps them become more efficient and productive. Effective time management techniques can help reduce stress and provide a sense of control.

There are plenty of time management techniques, but time blocks and setting deadlines are two that work well with students.

Once the student has a schedule and a list of responsibilities, they can make two-hour time blocks, making sure to include 5 min breaks every 25 minutes. They should not work on anything else until the two hours have passed. This will help them finish projects and study for exams when their agenda is packed.

Setting deadlines for each study task will help avoid procrastination. For example, “work on my STEM project Wednesday at 5 p.m.” The student needs to commit to the date and time and not change it for any reason. For more time management techniques visit Clockify website.  Find the one that works best for your student or for their project.

4) Foster Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy is the ability to communicate your needs. People who self-advocate are more likely to thrive in school, work, and life.

It is important to learn self-advocacy as it gives you a voice. When a person learns to advocate for themselves, they can clearly communicate their needs and the kind of support they are asking for. They learn to stand up for their rights and opinions, express themselves effectively, and negotiate with others which helps them succeed.

When students learn to advocate for themselves, they get to have a say in their education, they take responsibility for their life and set boundaries; they control their reality and thus, have the ability to transform their life.

5) Establish Routines

Establishing a routine is one of the most important things a person can do. Routines provide structure and consistency. They increase organization, reduce stress, and even help students perform at their best.

But routines do more than organize your day, they actually help your child develop the skills needed to help with daily behaviors, such as solving problems, making decisions, and following directions. They promote self-control, regulate energy levels and foster confidence and independence.

On the other hand, the lack of a morning routine, a homework or after school routine, and a sleep routine can cause stress and anxiety, lack of focus and concentration.