While you’re getting in the back to school groove, considering how your student will balance multiple subjects worth of homework, it is also helpful to plan for their after-school schedule.
Here are three suggestions to coordinate your students’ busy afternoons:
Work Together
Spend some time with your student discussing their priorities. What activities or hobbies bring them joy and energy? Then, decide how to best meet those needs - whether it is specific sports leagues or extracurricular activities. Remember, more activities isn’t necessarily
Make a Calendar
Once you’ve determined which activities your student will participate in during this school year, remember to put it all on the calendar. This way, you can avoid double-booking and ensure there is balance in each afternoon. Think about travel times and transitions between activities and remember your specific student’s needs: for example, do they need some rest after school? Remember to include tutors or coaches in your calendar and reach out to them if there is a need to switch up your session times.
Set Goals
Instead of simply going through the motions of a busy Fall season, be intentional about goal-setting with your student. What do they hope to achieve during their extracurricular experiences? What do they want to learn? How will this support their long-term goals? Be sure to write these down and come back to them throughout the season when the challenge of balancing everything may feel too overwhelming.