Natural Awakenings Twin Cities August 2023

Four Steps for a Smooth Transition
to a Successful School Year
by Bethany Habbena
It is that time again—summer is winding down and the energy for school in the fall
is ramping up. Along with the excitement and anticipation for school to start, there
also come anxieties. There are so many pieces that need to be put in place for the
fall transition to go smoothly, as well as plenty of planning and preparation that need
be done before the first day of school. All of this can be overwhelming, but taking a few
steps ahead of time can help adequately prepare for the upcoming school year.
Steady Morning Routine
The first step is to subtly get the mind and body into the routine of the school year. One
effective way to accomplish this is to start a consistent morning routine. Often, when
in the summer vacation mode, a schedule can be very loose or nonexistent. Start with a
simple morning routine of getting up at the same time every day. This will prepare children
by starting to get them in the rhythm of a routine before the beginning of the school
year. No one likes getting up early so, if possible, plan something fun to do right after
breakfast. Children will be much more inclined to jump into the routine when there is an
event to which to look forward.
Healthy Lunch
Provide children with a healthy lunch around the same time every day. This is another way to
get children into the rhythm of the day and school year. Oftentimes in the summer, lunch is
more relaxed as parents are not home or simply do not have the time to prepare three meals
every day. Once the school year approaches, it’s important to have healthy lunches each day.
This not only prepares a child by acclimating them to a schedule, but also feeds their brain
and allows for a healthy rejuvenation before the beginning of the school year. Some brain-
healthy foods to incorporate include berries,
walnuts, fish and leafy greens.
Create a Study Space
for the Fall
Once homework rolls in, having a study
space is vital for focus and efficiency. Get
ahead of the game and invest in setting
aside a space to get work done. Other
places in the home can be very distracting,
especially to younger students. Setting
aside time and a place for homework has
shown to be effective in promoting structure
for children. Prepare now and find a
desk or table for homework time. There
may already be a space in the home that’s
ready to become the homework spot.
Go Shopping
Build up the anticipation and excitement
for the school year
by shopping for school
necessities. Excitement
is contagious; build it by
going on special outings to
prepare for the school year
and the student will start
to feel the same excitement.
If we do not have the
time or the energy to go out shopping,
order needed supplies online. Be creative
with it—play a game or scavenger hunt
for school supplies—even a bingo game
in which the prizes are school supplies
will excite and encourage the student.
Taking these simple preparation
steps will provide structure and stability
before the school year so everyone can
enjoy the summer while it is here, yet
welcome the school year with excitement.
Bethany Habbena is the
marketing and communications
specialist at Hope
Academy, in Minneapolis,
an affordable private school
that aims to foster hope in
God within the inner-city
neighborhoods of Minneapolis by providing
youth with a remarkable, classical,
Christ-centered education. Located at 2300
Chicago Ave. S, Minneapolis, schedule a tour
at HopeSchool.org/tour or call the Admissions
Team at 612-489-5154. See ad, page 3.
August 2023
17