Summer is winding down, the air is getting cooler, and that can only mean one thing. School is back in session! Whether you have kids or are currently  in elementary, middle, or high school (and even college), this can be a hectic time of year. Here are some tips and tricks to make this school year flow by with ease!

Make a solid daily routine

Sure, this is an obvious trick, however, it can sometimes be hard to achieve. According to KD College Prep there are a few ways to actually make your daily schedule successful.

• Don’t overload your schedule. While extracurriculars are beneficial, being able to have a school-life balance is integral to a successful year. It’s hard to be your best in school and all your extracurriculars if you don’t have a way to evenly delegate all your time. Be realistic and plan ahead!
• Set time aside for work in the evenings. Whether it’s homework, college applications, or standardized test prep, these are things that may not be already built into your daily schedule. Make time for these in order to achieve a successful year in all aspects.

Make a to-do list or utilize a planner

It’s personal preference when it comes to how you like to organize your life on paper, but writing down your tasks and visualizing your day can be a great way to stay on track. Planners are an awesome way to map out your schedule on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Planners can be as basic or as fancy as you like, but they all serve the same person.

If you’re not a physical planner person, there are many ways to take advantage of free online calendars. If you have a Google account, you have free access to Google Calendar. The same can be said for most email-services.

Make time for rest

It can be easy to fall into a “go-go-go” mindset at the beginning of the school year. When you’re focused on constantly completing tasks and attending to obligations, it can be easy to forget to take time for yourself. As a result, you might start to feel burnt out, which can be just as harmful as not putting in any work at all.

Be intentional about making time for rest and relaxation. This doesn’t mean scrolling through social media each night, but rather practicing mindfulness activities or spending meaningful time with your family and friends. Doing something you love or enjoy can make it easier to complete difficult tasks!

Have a safe, comfortable study space

Finding a place to study/work on homework may not be something that you consider when going into the school year. Many students default to their desk or kitchen table. However, it’s important to analyze how you are functioning in the spaces. Are they distracting? Are you comfortable? At the very least, would you benefit from a change in scenery?

Going to spaces like the library or public park might result in you being more productive. Seeing other completing tasks may compel you to stay on top of work. Additionally, these shared spaces can make it easy for you to come together with friends to collectively check items off your to-do lists. Do you work better alone? These spaces can often offer private spaces to those who work better alone. Check out your public library to see what specific spaces they offer!

Ohio Military Kids hopes you and your family has a successful school year! Be on the lookout for upcoming events on our Facebook page and website.