A Month Back Into School: Tips for Continuing a Seamless School Year

Now that we’re a month into the new academic year, the initial excitement may have settled, but it’s important to continue fostering a positive and structured school routine for your daughter. With the first few weeks behind us, this is the perfect time to reflect on how the transition back to school has gone and ensure that your daughter is thriving both academically and emotionally.

Here are some tips and strategies to keep the momentum going as we progress through the term.

Reflect on Early Goals and Set New Ones

Many students set goals at the start of the year, but as we move into October, it’s a great time to reflect on those goals and see if any adjustments are needed. Ask your daughter how she feels about the progress she’s made so far, and encourage her to reassess any goals that may need tweaking.

Consider setting new, short-term goals based on her current progress. These could include:

• Improving in a specific subject: If your daughter found the first few weeks of maths challenging, perhaps now is a good time to focus on this area.
• Joining a new co-curricular activity: With a month of school behind her, she might feel more confident in exploring new clubs or activities.
• Building social connections: Encourage her to strengthen friendships or make new ones by attending school events or group activities.

Setting achievable goals at this stage can reignite your daughter’s motivation and keep her feeling engaged in her learning and school life.

Prioritise Emotional Well-being

October can bring a shift as the initial novelty of the new school year fades. It’s important to ensure your daughter is still feeling supported and happy. Regular check-ins about her emotional well-being are just as vital now as they were at the start of the year.

Here’s how you can continue to support her emotional well-being:

• Open communication: Ask her how she’s feeling about school, her workload, and her friendships.
• Encourage time for fun: Make sure she still has time for activities she enjoys outside of schoolwork, whether that’s sports, music, or simply relaxing at home.
• Teach stress management: If she’s feeling overwhelmed, guide her through stress management techniques, such as taking breaks, mindfulness, or even talking things out.

At Sheffield Girls’, we know the importance of emotional well-being alongside academic success. Our Girls of Steel programme is designed to help students develop courage, positivity, and kindness, ensuring they’re equipped to navigate both the challenges and triumphs of school life.

Looking Ahead: Building on Success

As the term progresses, it’s important to keep looking ahead and building on the foundations already laid. October is the perfect time to review how the first month has gone and ensure your daughter is on the path to success, not just in her studies but in her overall school experience.

Remind her that school is a journey, and each step—whether it’s mastering a difficult subject, making new friends, or joining a new club—helps her grow. With continued support, an open line of communication, and a structured yet flexible routine, you can ensure that the rest of the term goes just as smoothly as the first few weeks.

And finally - Review and Adjust Routines

By this point, your daughter has likely settled into her daily routine but it’s still worth taking a moment to review how the current routine is working for both you and your daughter. Are mornings still rushed? Is there enough time for homework and downtime in the evenings?

Here are some quick tips to adjust routines for an even smoother experience:

• Be well-rested: consider adjusting bedtimes slightly if mornings are a struggle.
• Schedule homework time: Create a consistent time each day dedicated to homework, ensuring it’s a productive part of the routine, not rushed before bedtime.
• Incorporate relaxation: protect time for hobbies, creative activities, and relaxation.

By revisiting and fine-tuning routines, you can support consistency and reduce stress and tiredness as the school year progresses.