Stay On Track For The Final Stretch

Remember all those resolutions you and your child made at the beginning of the school year? If you find yourself slipping – forgetting to double check homework or becoming less vigilant about ensuring the right balance between academics and extracurricular activities, for example – you're not alone.

New school year resolutions are a lot like New Years' resolutions – they're born out of best intentions but are often forgotten a few months later. Now is the time to revisit those goals. This doesn't necessarily mean that you need to pull out the old list and "get tough" with the rules. In many cases it's better to simply take stock of how your children is progressing so far this year, and consider some mid-stream corrections to ensure he or she stays on track.

Here are some points to consider:


HOMEWORK HABITS

There are some simple rules about homework that must always be followed. It has to be completed, and has to be done to your child's best abilities. Yet there are different approaches to making this happen. Topic one is timing – some students can begin their studies right after they get home and stay on task through completion, so they have time to relax a bit before bedtime. Others need a break – for exercise or social time – before they can sit down and focus on homework. Think through what you know about your child's mental cycles and energy levels, and talk about which approach seems most appropriate. Then, make a rule and stick to it.

If your child's grades are faltering, you should also make sure that the homework is being done, and determine if extra help is needed. Begin by contacting teachers and finding out how much homework they're assigning each night, so you know what your child is expected to complete. Ask about upcoming assignments, such as major tests or projects that will require extra time and attention. Stick to your daily homework schedule and create a calendar that lists these assignments, and then think about what your child will need in order to prepare. You should also make sure your child has a quiet place for homework, and remove distractions such as television, Web surfing and instant messaging from friends.

LEARNING and LEISURE TIME

While your son or daughter might have begun the school year intending to be a scholar, good friends and good times may be weakening that resolve. You should take a close look at a typical day for signs that extracurricular activities are taking up too much time. Are after-school clubs and sports bleeding into early evening and causing a late start on homework? Is your child spending too much time away from home that you're not completely sure when, or if, homework is getting done? If so, you should determine how much time needs to be devoted to studying each day – and which extracurricular and social activities need to be curtailed to ensure the work gets done.

STUMBLING BLOCKS

Most students naturally excel in some classes yet face struggles in others. If your child was struggling during the first two quarters, it's especially important to take corrective actions now. By this point in the school year, many courses are more challenging, requiring students to build on knowledge they have already amassed. So if your child went from a B to a C, or worse, in a certain area, you need to talk with teachers to determine what steps are needed to get back on track. Extra homework, improved study skills, better time management, or getting a tutor or mentor may all be a part of the mix. What's most important is that you identify the stumbling blocks and get them out of the way.

BOREDOM

Boredom at mid-year may also impact your child's attitude and performance. For this reason, you should consider a double-barreled approach to improving your child's academic outlook and performance. First, make sure you and your child are aware of major tests or major projects that are upcoming, particularly in the classes that are most difficult – or simply boring – for your child. Make sure your child is prepared for these waves of activity. Buckling down "before the big ones hit" will make it easier to ride out the daily stream of regular activity. Second, make special note of the upcoming points of relief, such as weekend trips or spring break that your child can look forward to. This can put the hard work that your child needs to do now in perspective and serves as a reminder that rewards are coming and relief is in sight.