12 Habits that will Make this the Best School Year Yet
Are your children getting nervous about starting the new school year?
Classes begin in our area next week. With one grandson starting first grade and the other third, I’ve been thinking back on their parent’s years in school.
Add my own as a teacher. Whew! That’s a lot of hours spent in the classroom!
Did you know your kids aren’t the only ones who get nervous? Teachers have dozens of anxious thoughts in the days before their students walk in and fill each desk.
So I’ve done some remembering and a little searching to share with you what I believe are the most helpful tips for making this a successful year.
Here are my top twelve…
12 Habits that will Give You the Best School Year Yet
Action Steps
1. Prepare for Tomorrow Today
Sign all notes, pack lunches and fill the totes and backpacks with everything needed before you go to bed. Encourage your children to help as they are able so they preparation a habit for the future.
“If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it.” ~Olin Miller
2. Lay Out Your Clothes
If you can plan all the outfits over the weekend . . . Woo Hoo! It will save you so much time and lessen your stress throughout the week if you know things are clean and ready to go! Just imagine having 5 or 6 outfits planned, accessorized, and ready to wear!
“Organizing is something you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” ~A. A. Milne
3. Plan Ahead and Be Prepared
Don’t procrastinate! Make it a habit to do homework quickly after school so you won’t end up with unnecessary late nights. And keep a list of things you need to avoid last-minute trips to the store for forgotten supplies.
Live for today but prepare for tomorrow.
4. Organize Your Workspace
Whether at school or at home set up a user-friendly workstation where you can easily find what you need and where distractions are limited.
“Have a time and place for everything, and do everything in its time and place, and you will not only accomplish more but have far more leisure than those who are always hurrying.” ~ Tryon Edwards
5. Get Enough Rest
The world just seems better when you and I have had enough rest.
“Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year-olds.” ~JoJo Jensen
6. Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Fuel is essential for success. Need some ideas? Check out the Breakfast Ideas on Pinterest.
“According to the American Dietetic Association, people who eat breakfast have an easier time focusing and are more productive throughout the morning than people who skip breakfast.”
Attitude Steps
7. Smile
Everyone is a little nervous as the new school year starts, smiling will help you and the people around relax and worry less.
Teachers, I know they tell you not to smile until Thanksgiving, but you can still set clear boundaries and smile. 🙂
“A smile is the light in your window that tells people there is a caring, sharing person inside.“ ~Denis Waitley
8. Be Humble
Do your personal best and be satisfied. Everything about school feels like a competition. Who’s the best teacher? Who gets the best grades? Who is the best at sports? And on and on. Competition is best when we compete only with ourselves – to be the very best we can be while giving God the praise and glory.
The only person you should compete with is yourself. Make today better than yesterday, work hard and give God the glory.
“Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.” ~John Wooden
9. Be Kind
Everyone needs friends. Teachers – look out for the new teachers. Students – be kind to the new kids and the ones who look lonely. Find ways to be helpful. It will bless you. I promise!
Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. Ephesians 4:32
10. Be Yourself
You are one of a kind, an original made by God for His glory. Celebrate and be the beautiful you He created you to be.
“Be yourself- not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Wherever you are, whatever the place and time – you were created for God’s plans and purposes.
For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
11. Refuse to Give Up
Believe you can do it. Don’t quit. Ever. Be blessed knowing each day offers an opportunity to start again. Don’t let yesterday interfere with today, or today with tomorrow.
This bright, new day… complete with 24 hours of opportunities, choices, and attitudes… a perfectly matched set of 1440 minutes.This unique gift, this one day, cannot be exchanged, replaced or refunded. Handle with care. Make the most of it. ~ Anonymous
12. Pray
In the morning, evening, and often in between. God loves you . . . teacher and students. He wants His best for you. Spend time with Him. Ask Him to guide you and help you know His will and follow it.
Since the day we heard these things about you, we have continued praying for you. This is what we pray:
that God will make you completely sure of what he wants by giving you all the wisdom and spiritual understanding you need; that this will help you live in a way that brings honor to the Lord and pleases Him in every way; that your life will produce good works of every kind and that you will grow in your knowledge of God; that God will strengthen you with His own great power, so that you will be patient and not give up when troubles come. Colossians 1:9-11
It takes planning, organization, and effort, but with God’s help, it’s possible to make this the best school year yet!
For a plethora of additional tips and ideas check out Back to School on Pinterest. And if you aren’t following my Pinterest boards yet . . . click here.
What’s your favorite tip for a successful school year?
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I think you covered it all! But this made me smile and brought back some memories. My “Late in Life Child” starts high school 8/14 – I’m not ready but will be. These tips are spot on and I love the quotes.
Deb- as always, your posts never disappoint! This was such a great one, especially from your teachers perspective. This is great for this time of year!
Oh, this brought back so many memories of getting my kids ready for school and myself as well since I taught for most of their growing up years. These tips are great, Deb, some which I did use back in the day.
Blessings!
Love this, it’s perfect and so simple! Wish I had this 15 years ago when mine were in school. I shared! Many thanks!
Oh how I love these quotes! And wise advice, Deb! Thank you for an inspiring post. 🙂
Great tips here, Deb! Means even more coming from a teacher. Sharing on FB and Twitter!