Back To School

The festive season marks the end of the year and the beginning of a new school year. Follow our tips to breeze through the new school year ahead.

- Teo Kuan Yee

While you celebrate the year-end festivities with your child to end the year on a high note, it is also the time to warm him up to the start of a new school year. These 10 tips will help your child gear up into return-to-school mode and have a hassle-free transition to a new school year.

Set Goals

As the time to make new year resolutions kick in, get your child to do the same by first reflecting on what he has learnt in the past year to set achievable goals for the new year.

For instance, based on his yearend examination results, are there areas in his subjects that he could improve upon? Make a list of goals, use a marker to pen them down on a coloured paper to be laminated and pasted near his study desk. This will encourage and motivate him to put in the effort to work hard to achieve his goals in the year ahead.

Look to Join an After-school Activity

Check the school website to see what kinds of after-school activities are available, such as dance or sports.

Purchase Textbooks and School Uniforms

Mark down the dates that the school book shop will be conducting its book sale. Some textbooks can only be purchased from the school bookshop, for instance, the school handbook and exercise books with the school’s name and logo printed on the cover. It is a good idea to purchase the school textbooks early – as some textbooks may run out and you may need to buy them from another bookstore.

If your child has outgrown his or her uniform, it is time to purchase new ones, ditto for his shoes which are probably worn out. Take the opportunity to clear out clutter from your child’s wardrobe by discarding or donating outgrown clothes to charity.