Starting the School Year Right

Back to school means more than back to the mall for clothes, notebooks and pencils. It's also the time to prepare your kids for the year ahead.

Tips to start the school year right:

Create a good place to study. Whether it's a desk in a bedroom or the kitchen table, a study area should be a place where students can concentrate with few interruptions.
Communicate expectations for the year. Tell your children what you expect this year, go over their successes from the past year, and talk to them about what they could work on and what you are willing to do to help.
Review your children's schedules for the coming year. Make sure they have supplies for classes and activities.
Talk to your teen about time management. Have him or her create a school schedule, allowing time for everything from sports practice to homework—and some free time as well.
High school students can make a plan for investigating and applying to colleges. ACT research shows that most students say their parents are very important in the college-planning process, so get involved.
As early as middle school, help your teenager map out a plan for going to college.
Create a "college calendar" for the year to keep them on track, using ACT's college planning checklist. High school juniors and seniors need to know what's in store for them as far as test and application deadlines, teacher recommendations and other paperwork.

Planning ahead will help everyone feel more relaxed and in control.