Back to School Season: Check!
August is here- Target aisles are full of back to school supplies and, suddenly, everything feels rushed! Use the below checklist to guide you through the ‘end of summer’ craziness that will inevitably ensue this month:
Summer Work: Check in with your student about summer assignments. Don’t panic if they have not started. Instead, take a big breath and help coordinate a plan. Divide the work into smaller tasks with intended deadlines. Put these on a calendar that your student can keep on their phone or print out for their bulletin board. Be sure to follow up and help hold them accountable so they feel confident and prepared for the first day of school.
Schedule Back to School Appointments: Remember the Fall sports physical and first-day of school haircut. Get those on the calendar so that you are not rushed to do so during the last minute. Be sure to move any weekly appointments that may conflict with the regular school day (i.e. therapists, tutors, etc.) so that your student’s Fall schedule is fine tuned and ready.
School Supply Shopping: Everyone’s favorite money-sucker! Instead of buying all of the bright-colored or on-trend items in the back to school section, make a list and be intentional about what your student will need to be successful. Sit down with your student and determine what supplies they will use to stay organized this school year: do they prefer one big binder with folders or a few notebooks? Don’t buy it all, but rather make a system! Of course, we all NEED that one cool eraser or pen from the dollar section ;)
Set Goals: Help alleviate some of your student’s back to school anxiety by setting goals together. What do they hope to accomplish this school year? Discuss academic and personal goals. Be sure to guide your student towards success while also fostering autonomy and independence during this process.
Live in the Moment!: While back to school is encroaching quickly, it is still summertime! When you or your student are feeling overwhelmed by the impending school year, try to take a step back and recall this checklist (or make your own!). Your student needs every moment of summer sun, play and rest to be their best self this school year.