Resetting for the Spring Semester

Change these four things for a smoother, smarter spring semester.

The ball has dropped, bringing in the New Year, but that doesn't mean we can drop the ball with academic performance. As the new semester begins to warm up, it's a good time to look back at the last semester to see how to encourage our kids to maintain or improve their academic success.

Every time a new semester rolls around, it's easy to sit back and say things will be different. But real change requires proactive planning. Try sitting down the week before classes start with your child and list the top five things they would like to do differently this semester. Post that list above their desk or somewhere your kids will see it as a constant reminder of their semester goals.

As you prepare this list, consider these four tips to reset and make this an organized and successful semester for your family.

Start Mornings Right

Sometime in early January, the day comes when lazy mornings must end, and alarm clocks must be set again. When mornings are colder, a warm bed seems so much more inviting. And, with less daylight, it can be even more difficult for your body to wake up naturally.

As we suggested for the new school year, easing back into the morning is the best way to prep for the new semester. Commit to three simple things to start mornings off right:

• No "snoozing" allowed.
• Take a lukewarm shower.
• Eat breakfast.

We often forego these fundamentals for a little extra sleep, but they all help our brains and bodies wake up, setting the tone for our day and success. Your kids might initially protest, but soon, they'll appreciate these small changes that make a big difference.

Look back at our 4 Tips for a Better Morning for more ideas.

Make a Family Calendar

One of the hardest parts about beginning a new semester is getting back into the swing of coordinating all those activities. Try setting up a calendar where your whole family can always see it. That way, your kids can coordinate their activities, and you'll be less likely to double-book!

One cost-effective solution is to get a blown-up blank calendar template laminated. You can use different colored dry-erase markers to make changes and organize events by a child easily. Take a snapshot of the calendar with your phone each week to keep up with what's changed. You can then easily clean it off and change it at the beginning of each new month.

Out with the Old

As soon as winter break starts, the backpack gets thrown in the closet and ignored until school is back in session. Clean it out for the new semester before the backpack goes into its short hibernation. That way, you don't have to sort through the old work from the beginning of August to look at notes for an upcoming test.

With empty folders and a clean backpack, your child will feel like they're returning to school with a lighter load and can maintain organization more successfully over the new semester. Plus, nothing feels better than scrapping some old math notes. (But be sure to keep what you need for year-end finals!)

Say No to Procrastination

Procrastination is the easiest trap to fall into. Unfortunately, we are all prone to putting things off and telling ourselves that we can wait until after one more episode of whatever show we've gotten hooked on.

Try getting your kids to sit down at the beginning of each week and make a checklist of things on the horizon for the upcoming week. You and your kids can reference the list to track what they have on the horizon. Frequent visual reminders mean they won't be as likely to suddenly remember a big project the night before it is due. Then, they can review the list on Friday night and see what they've accomplished that week. If you have multiple children, try having them share their lists to teach them to hold each other respectfully accountable.

These tips are surefire ways to reorient your kids for the spring semester and make it a season of success for the whole family. If you're looking for more ways to make positive changes in your child's academic experience, consider applying some ways to overcome new school year nerves to the new semester.

Author Bio

Clay Boggess has been designing fundraising programs for schools and various nonprofit organizations throughout the US since 1999. He’s helped administrators, teachers, and outside support entities such as PTAs and PTOs raise millions of dollars. Clay is an owner and partner at Big Fundraising Ideas.