Tips to Maintain Good Academic Habits All Year Long

Through my work with parents and students at California Connections Academy @ Ripon, I’ve found that many families see the new school year as an opportunity for a fresh start, and want to make the best of it. I work with students ranging from grades K-12, in an online environment, so it’s even more pronounced that no two students learn exactly alike.

Though many roadblocks can come up throughout the year, setting a learning plan that’s maintained with benchmarks throughout can help your student pace themselves for consistent success. Because everyone learns differently, I have a few tips to share that can help parents set their children up with good habits, no matter what type of school they are in.

· Set up a distraction-free study area

One of the first things you can encourage your children to do for success is to set up a study area in a consistent, stress-free environment. For all students, setting up a clean and distraction-free area to complete schoolwork in can make it easier to absorb important material. Reducing clutter, like workbooks stacked on a desk, can help schoolwork appear as less of a daunting task, and a filing cabinet or notebook system can keep assignments in order. When designating a consistent study area for your child, keep in mind that noise from within the room or in other rooms can become distracting. Consider setting up a study area in a quiet area free of distractions, or communicate to family members that study hours are “quiet hours” in the house.

· Make learning fun

One tip I always offer to parents guiding their children through school is to find opportunities to make learning fun. Many students who complain of educational fatigue can benefit from learning material in unconventional ways. For younger students, at-home science experiments can be a fun way to get some hands-on learning, and older students may appreciate visiting a local museum exhibit that ties into their current subject matter. Apps and online games are also good ways to reinforce educational concepts, and can teach a variety of topics and subjects in a way that’s easy to digest.

· Build a learning support network

Building a learning support network of trusted teachers, family members and classmates is a great way to help students get the help they need to learn and grow. Showing interest in your child’s learning and being there for help and support makes learning a positive process, and will help them know that they can go to you when they’re having trouble. Similarly, building relationships with teachers and fellow students will make your child feel more invested and supported in the educational process. I recommend encouraging your child to reach out and get to know his or her teachers, and see things like group projects as an opportunity to build friendships and find fellow students for study groups. A good learning support network of fellow students, family members and teachers can help encourage and support students throughout the year.

· Develop a routine

I always encourage parents to help their children develop a regular routine, so they can stay organized and productive in school. A planner is a great tool for students who want to keep on top of their schoolwork, while balancing extracurricular activities. Once your children get in the habit of planning their days out, they’ll know what to expect when it comes to school and extracurricular commitments. Many of our most successful families at California Connections Academy develop daily work schedules, taking into account their scheduled class sessions, extracurricular activities, as well as assignments and quizzes.

· Integrate education with social activities

When approaching the academic school year, I recommend encouraging your children to find ways to integrate friends and social activities with learning activities. School clubs like debate or student government can help connect them with other students that have likeminded academic interests, while study groups and other extracurricular activities can add to the social learning environment. At Connections Academy, we encourage our students to join a variety of clubs, from Quiz Bowl Club and Gaming & Technology Club, to Movie Club and Broadcast & Theater Arts Club, to engage them with their interests, while introducing them to new friends.

· Maintain the learning momentum

Sometimes the real struggle isn’t getting students motivated, but rather working on keeping that motivation going throughout the school year. I recommend parents work with their children to identify goals for the year – but don’t just leave it at that! Regular goal check-ins can help solidify aspirations, and even create new or adjusted goals for the rest of the year. As with a New Year’s resolution, goals should be specific and measurable to be effective. “Maintain a B+ or higher average in math, and pass the AP exam with a score of at least three” is much more likely to lead to a measurable success than “do well in math this year.” If a goal is no longer realistic or needed as you check in with your children, help them identify goals with a new focus.

As your family enters the second half of the school year, take time to map out a game plan for learning and social activities that will ensure a productive and happy rest of the school year. Whether your children learn best in a physical or online classroom, or at home, with extra support and accountability, parents can help propel their students to do their academic personal best.

Amy Hunt is the site administrator and assistant principal of California Connections Academy @ Ripon, a tuition-free online public school serving students in grades K–12 in Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties. The school provides students with the flexibility to learn from anywhere with an innovative curriculum that meets rigorous state education standards. California Connections Academy opened in 2012 and is authorized under state law by the Ripon Unified School District and fully accredited (grades K-12) by the Schools Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). At California Connections Academy, Hunt enjoys working with a dedicated team of teachers and administrators to create a supportive and successful online learning opportunity for families and children who want an individualized approach to education.