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Getting in Gear: A Back To School Survival Guide

Despite the warm temperatures and sunny skies, many students are feeling a shadow looming as back to school season creeps closer. After weeks of lazy, summer days, late nights, varying routines and minimal mental stimulation, the return to school can seem overwhelming to students of all ages.

To help parents and children get ready for the new school year, the Savannah Sylvan Learning Center offers several tips to ease the transition from the beach to the classroom and jump start sluggish summer brains.

For many students, the first day of school doesn’t only bring new teachers and new friends – it can also be a source of anxiety with homework assignments and tests just around the corner. Starting the school year off on the right foot can help minimize students’ stress levels throughout the year.

Get Cleaning. A dirty, cluttered room is not conducive to studying. Get organized before homework starts piling up.

Remove seldom-worn clothing.

Pack away belongings not used on a regular basis.

For smaller children, label areas so they can easily see where belongings should go.

Carve Out A Homework Spot. Whether it is in your bedroom, the basement, or a family office, find an area where you can work distraction-free and claim it as your official workspace.

Pick a place that is always available and where you feel comfortable doing schoolwork.

Stock the area with all of the supplies and tools that are needed to complete homework.

Get Organized. Organization is key to ensure you stay on top of the requirements for each subject.

Use separate, labeled notebooks for each class.

Create files for each subject. The folders can hold assignments, essays, handouts and notes taken during classes.

Purchase a planner or calendar to keep track of important dates and deadlines.

Set Educational Goals. Whether it is striving for an A in a certain subject, handing in all homework on time or preparing for tests well in advance, setting goals can help establish a routine for the new year.

Set goals that are measurable, specific, reasonable and have personal value.

Stay On Schedule. Minimize last minute cramming or deadline mix-ups by creating a detailed school schedule.

Include all classes, assignments and key dates, such as project deadlines and test dates. Fill in new dates as they arise.

Schedule specific times for studying, projects and extracurricular activities. The more thorough the schedule, the more helpful it will be to you.

Know The School. If you ever feel swamped with back to school madness, ask for help. Schools assist students with transitioning from one grade to another. Meet with your guidance counselor and/or teachers. If you are still nervous, ask your mom or dad to drop you off at school on the first day of class.

Be Adventurous. Step out of your comfort zone this school year by trying new things academically and in terms of extracurricular activities.

Try every type of class and/or activity. You never know what your strengths are until you experience as much as you can.

Challenge yourself. If you have the opportunity, take the hardest classes – not the easiest subjects.

Ask questions. There is nothing wrong with not always knowing the answer. Asking questions is the best way to learn!

Think Positive. Yes, going back to school means homework and early mornings. It also means reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people, resuming fun extracurricular activities, learning more about your favorite subjects and improving on your last year’s performance.

For more educational resources for children in grades pre-K through 12, please call Savannah Sylvan Learning at (912) 355-2267.

How to Make the Most, Academically, of Your Child’s Summer Break

Within 24 to 48 hours after learning new concepts, students often begin to forget information unless it is reinforced or applied immediately. That’s why, during summer break, even the best students forget lessons they have learned during the school year.

While a break from school is great for recharging your children’s batteries, if students aren’t using the skills they acquired in the classroom, they could find themselves lagging behind once the school bell rings again. Sylvan Learning Center, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages and skill levels, offers recommendations to inspire academic discovery when away from the classroom.

Writing - To help writing skills, encourage your child to start a diary or write letters to a grandparent or friend. If you are traveling on a vacation, ask your child to keep a travel journal recording where you stayed and what you did. At the end of every day, talk through the activities with your child and help him or her with a journal. It not only improves writing skills, but also creates great family memories.

Mathematics - Helping mom or dad with grocery shopping develops opportunities to use math skills, such as making change, weighing fruits and vegetables, etc. Providing assistance with cooking can also familiarize children with weights and measures, organization and planning and following a recipe. Perhaps you and your children could make a special dessert for the whole family. Help children pick a recipe, create an ingredients list and go shopping together.

Reading - You can’t start too early. You can’t read too much. Reading to young children nurtures an interest in language, words and communication. For older kids, reading together can be fun and interesting. Children also learn by example. If parents are setting time aside to read, it reinforces the fun and enjoyment of reading. Local libraries offer infinite resources for children. Librarians can recommend books appropriate for your child’s reading level and interests, and many libraries offer free children’s programs and clubs.

Research –There are an abundance of sites that provide summer reading lists for children. At www.bookadventure.com, children (K-8) create personalized books lists from more than 7,000 recommended titles, take quizzes on the books they’ve read at school or at home, and earn prizes for their reading comprehension. The program is designed to motivate students to read more often, for longer periods of time and with greater understanding.

Analysis and Logic - Many family games and puzzles are not only fun, but help children to develop and reinforce skills. A simple card game can involve mathematics, analysis and logical thinking. Be sure to select games appropriate for your child's age level.

Summer Enrichment Programs - There are many enrichment activities available for children when school is out-of-session. Sylvan Learning Center offers engaging programs that keep the interest and fun in learning alive through the summer and into the school year. Visit http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/academic-camps/index.cfm for additional information.

For more educational resources for children in grades pre-K through 12, please visit http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/learning-for-parents/index.cfm or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.