Starting the School Year with Good Habits

by Mindi Popovich-Schneider

With the start of school and the changing of the seasons, the last days of summer are energized in a unique way. We admire our shiny new books (even if they’re only new to us), carefully pick out our notebooks, pencils, and other materials, and plan out how beautifully organized our days are going to be. 

But if your family is anything like mine, the organization falls by the wayside as soon as illness or a major Feast (or an out-of-town friend or a big extracurricular activity, etc.) comes knocking. 

I am decidedly not good at implementing new habits, so I have to work hard at making them stick. Here are a few things that have helped me, and will hopefully help you too.

Think of rhythms, not schedules.

I have noticed that my kids don’t do well without any structure, but at the same time, our days vary far too much for me to even attempt writing down a schedule. Some days we all sleep in, Papa gets to go into work a bit later, we need to spend more time cleaning the house, or we have liturgy for a special feast…and so on. 

Instead, on the advice of a friend, I’ve started to think in terms of rhythms. “These are the things we do in the morning: prayers, breakfast, make beds/tidy, school/chores. They might vary in order or length of time spent, but that’s generally what we want to accomplish each day. These are the chores/school tasks we do on Mondays; this is what we do on Tuesdays, etc. Those things may not always happen at the same time each week, but that’s typically what we try to accomplish on that day.”  Thinking in general terms helps us go with the flow, while still giving a loose shape to our days.

Start small.

If you struggle to get consistent with a habit, consider breaking it down into smaller components. For example, if you find it hard to fit exercise into your day, don’t go straight to adding trips to the gym or a three-mile walk into your normal routine. Start off with something much smaller that can fit more naturally into the habits you already have. Perhaps when you first go downstairs for the day, you can pause at the bottom of the stairs and do a few reps of stair-steps (i.e., up and down the bottom step a certain number of times). Or maybe you could have your family do some light stretching before everyone sits down to start their schoolwork. Then, once you’ve mastered that small habit, you can think of ways to add onto it, until the habit has become what you originally had in mind. 

Another example: if you want to pray more, don’t go straight to trying to do an Akathist each week. Start by praying one or two rounds on your prayer rope. Once you have mastered that, add in one or two shorter prayers, and so on. When you do face some major disruption to your routine, you’ll know how to start over. 

Create physical barriers.

Each morning, I feel a lot of pressure to get work done before my kids wake up for the day. That results in prayers–and especially reading my Bible–always getting pushed to the side. Recently, I’ve started putting my prayer rope and Bible on top of my laptop each night–meaning that I have to physically remove them before I can start work…and let me tell you, the guilt makes it very hard to move them aside without engaging with them! 

Follow your natural inclinations.

It would be really great if my family (myself included) naturally always put their shoes and socks away in their rooms the moment they took them off. That just doesn’t happen. Instead of fighting it, I made room for a second shoe rack in our coat closet. Our “pop on” shoes can stay by the back door, but anything else goes into the closet, just a few feet away. Socks don’t make it up to the laundry basket? Boom, now there’s a laundry basket in the downstairs closet (yes, I do still constantly have to remind my three year old that’s where they go).

Going back to the goal of exercising more: a friend put a kettlebell in his kitchen so that when he’s between tasks making dinner, he can get in a bit of weightlifting. An added benefit is that if you have toddlers under foot, you can distract them by having them lift weights (or attempt to lift weights) when you have to attend to the food. 

The oft-discussed habit stacking falls under this category too. If there’s a habit you already have (e.g., a cup of coffee every morning), add a habit onto it, such as doing squats or rounds on your prayer rope while the coffee brews (you might have to stare at the pot while you exercise/pray to make sure you don’t forget to do it!). My husband and I wanted to start saying prayers at the end of our meals but could never quite make it work, primarily because we and my mother-in-law always linger at the table to chat before we start cleaning up. My oldest kiddo always finishes eating before everyone else and must ask to be excused, so we attached praying to that instead of to when the adults were ready to leave the table.

Don’t try to change the way your household functions; instead, find ways to shape new, good habits to the way your family already naturally works. 

Do it together.

I find that I enjoy doing most things ten times more when I’m doing them with my family–plus, getting my kids involved means they’re developing better habits too. Instead of making my kids clean up before bed–or waiting until they’re asleep to just do it myself–we’ve started cleaning up as a family. Sometimes we’ll put on music and blitz-tidy as long as the song plays. (Yes, of course my kids still complain, but I have more fun!)

The same applies to other chores as well. When my son was two, we made up a silly game involving folding socks to occupy him while we put away laundry. It very naturally segued into him folding and putting away his own clothing. 

I know none of these concepts are particularly revolutionary, but I do hope that as you prepare for the new liturgical year and school year, they will serve as motivations to grab those habits you’ve been wanting to implement–without feeling pressure to do too much or to be perfect. May God bless you, your family, and all you undertake in the upcoming year! 

Staying Motivated Mid-Year

by Londyn, SEM Intern

At any stage of life–high school, college–finishing the school year can feel overwhelming with the demands of education, family, friends, social life, and our faith. Balancing these aspects can be challenging, but with thoughtful strategies, you can manage your time effectively and stay motivated. Here are some tips on time management, balancing responsibilities, staying motivated, and the importance of exercise and the outdoors! I believe that with balance we can bring ourselves more peace in life. 

Time Management Tips

Time management is crucial, especially during the busy end-of-year period. Start by making a list of everything you need to do and rank these tasks by importance and deadlines. Focus on completing the most critical tasks first, avoiding the stress of last-minute rushes. Planning your day, including specific times for studying, family activities, and breaks, helps allocate time effectively. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps and set achievable goals for each day or week to provide a sense of accomplishment. Avoid procrastination by tackling tasks as soon as they arise and use techniques like the Pomodoro method (working for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break) to maintain focus. Additionally, make time for constant prayer. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Or, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me for I am weak.”

Balancing Family/Social Life and School Responsibilities

Maintaining a balance between family, social life, and school responsibilities is essential for overall well-being. Communicate with your family and friends about your schedule and commitments to gain their support and understanding. Focus on spending quality time with loved ones, even if it’s just a short period, as meaningful interactions can strengthen relationships and provide emotional support. Consider incorporating social time into your routine, such as study groups with friends or family prayer sessions, to stay connected while fulfilling responsibilities. It’s also crucial to know how to say no when necessary to prevent overcommitting and becoming overwhelmed. Prioritize your well-being and responsibilities over social pressures.

Staying Motivated in School and Mundane Activities

Staying motivated during the final stretch of the school year can be tough. Establish both short-term and long-term goals to give you something to work towards and celebrate your progress and achievements. Remind yourself why your education and activities are important, whether for personal growth, future career opportunities, or making your family proud. Staying connected to your faith by starting and ending your day with prayer can provide strength and perseverance. Try crossing yourself to bless yourself before and after work; whether you are cooking, cleaning, studying, or about to take a test. Take some time to memorize these two prayers: Common Prayers - Before and after any Work - Orthodox Church in America. Adding variety to your routine can also boost motivation, such as changing your study environment or trying different study techniques. Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed; reaching out to teachers, family, or friends for support and encouragement can make a significant difference.

Importance of Exercise and the Outdoors in Learning

Physical activity and spending time outdoors play a vital role in overall well-being and academic performance. Regular exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain, enhancing cognitive function and concentration. Activities like walking, running, or playing sports (even without a team, just play with friends or family!) can boost energy levels and improve focus. Physical activity helps reduce stress and anxiety by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural mood elevators. Taking breaks for exercise can help you feel more relaxed and focused when you return to your studies. Studies show that spending time outdoors can improve attention and creativity, making it easier to absorb and retain information. If ever possible, take your study sessions outside to enjoy fresh air and sunlight. Use your time outdoors to appreciate the beauty of the world around you and deepen your connection to God.

As you navigate the final stretch of your school year, remember that balance and faith are your best allies. By managing your time effectively, maintaining a healthy balance between your responsibilities, staying motivated, and prioritizing physical activity and the outdoors, you can finish the school year strong. Keep the Lord at the center of your life, and you’ll find the strength and resilience to overcome any challenges that come your way. God be with you!