6 Tips For Success At School

Without a doubt, the world right now is a stressful and tense place. No matter how we try to shelter and protect our kids, the anxiety has a way of seeping in through social media, the news or just overhearing conversations. On top of this, our kids come to school expected to focus and thrive. Even though we cannot eliminate all of these outside stressors, we can seek to minimize stress by focusing on basic needs, self-care, and overall well-being. When we get enough sleep and eat healthy, our bodies and minds are able to rationalize and cope better. Because success at school includes a good attitude, diligent study habits, and consistent effort, developing a healthy lifestyle will make a positive impact in school and build greater self-confidence and coping skills.

Following are 6 tips to help your child develop these skills.

1. Get Plenty of Sleep and Exercise

The CDC recommends 10 to 12 hours of sleep for children ages five to twelve and 8 to 10 hours for teenagers ages thirteen to eighteen. Ways you can help your child get more sleep:

• Cut off screen time an hour before bed and remove electronic devices from the bedroom.
• Avoid meals and snacks at least an hour before going to bed.
• Go to bed around the same time each night, even on weekends and school breaks.
• Get your children moving, whether it be a walk, jog, a virtual video game that gets them active.
• Ride bikes together or play a sport.
• Strive for at least 15-30 minutes of activity outside of PE class.

2. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Sugary breakfast foods may cause loss of focus soon after arriving at school. One of the most important things a parent can do to build success at school is to ensure your child eats a healthy breakfast.

Some great options:

• Eggs
• French toast, waffles, or pancakes (try wheat or whole-grain varieties)
• Cold, low-sugar cereal with milk
• Oatmeal or cream of wheat (try some dried fruit or nuts on top)
• Whole-grain toast, bagel, or English muffin with cheese or high-protein spreads
• Yogurt with fruit or nuts

3. Develop Organization and Time Management Skills

Developing organization and time management skills will help students prioritize their time for co-curricular activities, hobbies, and time with family and friends.

Suggestions to help build these valuable skills:

• Create a dedicated study area at home stocked with needed supplies.
• Place the backpack and other school items in the same place each night.
• Keep a school planner and review daily for homework assignments, upcoming test dates, and project deadlines.
• Complete homework as soon as possible and place it in the backpack. Parents of younger children should review completed homework.
• Remember to check cell phones and social media accounts. Vigilance in this area can prevent a lot of stress, anxiety, and dangerous situations.
• Devices should “sleep” in the kitchen, not in bedrooms.

4. Develop a Plan for Completing School Projects

School projects help students develop a deeper understanding and knowledge about a particular subject. At Covenant, teachers will allow time to work on projects in the classroom and will offer guidance to students throughout the project timeline.

You can also help your child successfully complete a project:

• Go over the instructions with your child to ensure understanding.
• Plan and review the completion timeline with your child periodically to avoid missed steps and deadlines.
• Make a list and gather needed supplies as soon as possible to avoid last-minute trips to the store.

5. Prepare for Tests

Keeping up with homework and seeking help from teachers when needed will prepare students to do well on tests.

Encourage your child to:

• Review class notes, quizzes, and other materials daily.
• Memorize and recite specific information to a parent to check for accuracy.
• Take advantage of tutoring or test review opportunities offered by teachers.

6. Learn to Rest in God

The greatest principle that we can teach our children s to turn to God when they are anxious or stressed. He is our Sovereign provider, who loves them and will see them through their challenges.

Suggestions on how to rest in God include:

• Pray with your children each morning before school. You can also pray with them during the day if they seem anxious or stressed. Consistently pointing them to God will help develop a life-long pattern of them turning to God in their times of need.
• Create an environment of thankfulness in your home. Focusing on thankfulness helps students understand the blessings of God and place events in perspective, enabling them to become less anxious about situations.
• Read Scripture to your children. Helping your children see the many promises of God provides comfort and strength to your children. Reading and hearing encouraging Bible stories help them to see how God has been faithful and helped others, just as He can now help them.
• Have your children journal their thoughts and struggles. Sometimes children need an outlet so helping them create a journal not only provides an outlet for their anxiety but also a way to see god’s faithfulness and how he responds to situations.

By: Covenant Staff