The Ministry of Education has compiled a list of tips to make going back to school less painful. Students of all ages and their parents can benefit, the ministry says, from following some basic do’s and don’ts when it comes to transition from hot summer weather to cool winter education.

PARENTS

Parents can help their children, especially the little ones, by showing an interest in what they are learning.

Try and relate the learning to the real world. Stay involved with workload and make sure requirements are being met. Get to know the school, principal and your children’s teachers.

PRIMARY STUDENTS

Primary school students will benefit by structured times reading with their parents, the ministry said.

Read street signs together, ask your child to read while you prepare a meal, get your child excited about reading by reading pages together and acting out characters in a play.

Discuss what it is you are reading together. Ask them questions to check for understanding.

Try different styles of literature and see what your child enjoys the most. Have them take out a library card and make regular trips to the library.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Intermediate/middle school students will need to have more of a routine for homework in order to stay on top of the workload.

An area to do homework in, away from distractions, such as a computer or television, with good lighting usually works best.

Larry Espe, superintendent of School District 60 agreed that structure can be a big help.

“The idea of having a space to study and trying to make it into a habit and a routine, making school a priority is something that we would really encourage with the help of their parents,” he said.

“Making it a part of their day and a lot of folks do that. You have to make sure that studying is not a filler, not something you do if you have time.”

A parent can model the behaviour for a child by also doing similar quiet work while the child studies, such as reading a book, paying bills or balancing your chequebook.

Comic books, read in a child’s spare time, can encourage positive reading habits and improve reading comprehension.

Have your child focus on the more difficult homework tasks first.

Be available to help your child but don’t do the work for them. Have them explain what they just wrote to ensure they understand it.

Writing poetry and stories will help as well.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Build on the structured study time. Allow for adjustments to the schedule such as after school or weekend time for larger projects.

Studies have shown that re-reading notes taken in school can increase comprehension. Encourage your teenagers to take 20 minutes each evening to re-read their notes and maybe use a highlighter to identify key concepts.

Encourage regular study breaks to minimize eye, neck and brain fatigue. This will allow students to be more productive and retain more of what they learn.

Magazines, newspaper articles and websites pertaining to areas of interest to your teenage student can keep up the interest in reading. Libraries can also be a good source on a variety of topics.

“Reading is imperative, the more kids read the more they are going to learn, whether in books, on the internet, in newspapers, the public library, all of that. The capacity to read is everywhere. When can’t you be reading now? Contribute as well, besides just reading, contribute. Comment on things sincerely and respectfully if the opportunity is there on blogs and websites,” Espe added.

Keep an assignment calendar on the fridge or in a set location to keep track of important dates, exams and other activities.

POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS

The ministry says planning is key to get the most from a college or university education.

The use of schedules and calendars for regular routines is critical to stay on top of things.

Develop a support system of family and friends, this can greatly reduce stress.

Keep your personal well-being a priority, with a focus on eating well and getting lots of sleep.

Get to know a handful of other students in each class to share notes and other information.

As a first year student, the new student orientation offered by most schools will come in handy. Take a tour of the campus, learn where classrooms are located and other key facilities.

Get to know the support systems that schools have available for students, such as academic advisors and counsellors. Keeping a good relationship with instructors will allow them to support your goals.

Reviewing notes before a class and lecture material immediately following a class, will improve comprehension.

Prioritize assignments and tackle the most difficult first.

Develop and try to stick to a schedule for studying early on in your post secondary experience.

Familiarize yourself with campus security services, stay safe.

Most of all, enjoy the experience.

Espe said each new school brings with it opportunities for growth.

“I hope that all students will step outside of their comfort zone just a little bit, try something they have not tried before. If they like singing, join the choir, if they like basketball, try out for the team,” he said.

“We would all like to be a rock star but a lot of people never make it up on stage for the first time. There are a lot of great singers that stay in the audience. Step outside your comfort zone, really enjoy the year and learn as much as you can.”