Work That Memory - Checklist Style!

Written By Annie Belott, M.Ed
 
 

In the midst of spooky season and the rhythm of new school years, homework and extracurricular routines becomes more solidified, now is NOT the time to let your gourd down! 

Is your student forgetting one or two items before they leave the house in the morning? Are they missing a few steps in their homework assignments and not completing the task in its entirety? Is there room for improvement in their evening routines to ensure certain household responsibilities are completed?

For some individuals, the capacity of their working memory - the ability to keep information in mind while completing tasks - can be challenged if there is an overload of competing information at one time. To provide additional support, the use of checklists comes to mind! Checklists can provide a clear roadmap, create structure and prevent information from being forgotten.

  • Introduce 1-2 checklists for specific routines, habits or actions that need additional structure + support

    • Each checklist should represent a list of clear, actionable steps or items that can help guide behavior

    • Example: A backpack checklist could be created to help ensure all items are brought to school each day (i.e. binder, planner, Chromebook, charger and sports gear)

  • Turn the checklist into a visual cue

    • Posting the list of actions or steps visually can help alleviate the mental burden and pressure to remember all bits of information

    • Choose a relevant, designated spot for each checklist to be easily seen as it relates to the specific outlined tasks/actions

      • Backpack checklist —---> Mudroom or Entryway

      • Household responsibilities checklist —--> Fridge

      • Homework checklist —---> Office desk

  • Make it a family activity

    • Create the checklists together to encourage participation & buy-in to the process

    • Incorporate the student’s language when listing the specific steps/actions so the information is applicable and agreed upon

    • Teach your student how to use the checklist - have them try it, evaluate & adjust!

      • Check-in with your student to see how the checklist system is working and what adjustments may need to be made to fit better with their needs

No tricks or spookiness here! Checklists can be a great tool to help streamline focus, manage time more effectively, alleviate the loss of information and provide structure to everyday life. 

Annie Belott, M.Ed

With over nine years of experience working in academia, including university settings, Annie has worked with various student populations including individuals with disabilities, first-generation students, and student-athletes. She focuses on strategies to improve upon time management, procrastination, test anxiety, self-testing, learning styles, etc.

From 2016 to 2020, Annie worked as a Learning Skills Specialist at Georgetown University. Here she oversaw the implementation of academic support services to all students on campus, specifically individual consultations with students seeking assistance with their study habits, tutoring for foreign languages, and study skills workshops/webinars.

Annie has worked for Life Solved since the Fall of 2017 and recently transitioned to a full-time position with the company. She continues to work with students from middle school through the collegiate level to improve upon their organizational systems, test-taking and self-testing strategies, and help students create effective study schedules to make workloads manageable.

Annie has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Salisbury University and a Master’s degree in Multicultural Special Education from the University of Texas at Austin.

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