New School Year Survival Tips for Oklahoma City Students and Parents

Back-to-school time is an exciting and stressful time for students and parents, but things can get even crazier when the adults are also students. Regardless of your situation, there are several things you can do to make the school year go more smoothly. Here are four tips to keep in mind:

Scheduling and Routine

Sit down with your child and set times for  homework each day and stand firm with that schedule. Also, look at any extracurricular activities scheduled and adjust homework and study times accordingly. A monthly calendar is a great way to organize study times, and provides a space to record test days or project due dates.

Are you going back to school yourself? Remember to develop your own schedule and stick to it. Designate study time and plan ahead for big projects. Don't procrastinate on papers or projects, as you never know if your little one could come down with an awful bug a few days before a big assignment is due.

Prepare Food Ahead of Time

Try to make dinners that will result in leftovers, which you can pack for lunch the next day. Also, think about breakfast the night before. You can make hard-boiled eggs and breakfast meats the night before, and simply grab-and-go or reheat them the next morning.

Don't forget healthy snacks. Whether for school, work, or commutes, everyone appreciates having snacks on hand. Explore healthy snack options you can make at home, or buy bulk snacks such as trail mix and separate it into individual servings at the start of each week.

Family Time

Don't forget to stop, relax, and have some fun during this busy time. Some fun things happening in Oklahoma City during back to school time include:

• Oklahoma County Free Fair: Tons of fantastic fair activities August 26-27
• Summer Twilight Concert Series: Free family-friendly concerts at the Myriad Gardens every Sunday until September 25.
• Free Movie Night @ the Park in Edmond: Enjoy Zootopia at Mitch Park on September 9 and Jurassic Park at KickingBird Golf Course on October 14.

Here's to a happy and successful new school year! Let us know about your tips and tricks for a smooth transition from summer to school in the comments below.