Transform Your Student's Planner into Their Scholastic Superpower

Do you have a neurodivergent or neurotypical teenager who seems to be struggling academically? Or perhaps you're just a proactive parent seeking to equip your child with the right tools to succeed? Whatever your case may be, you've come to the right place. I believe every child has the ability to excel academically when they have the right tools – tools that, unfortunately, are often not taught in schools. My passion is to provide these missing tools to empower teens to unlock their own scholastic superpowers.

The Key Lies in Executive Functioning Skills

Several teenagers grapple with their executive functioning skills, which include organization, planning, prioritization, motivation, focus, time management, and memory. If your teen is experiencing any difficulty in these areas, we have developed a simple and insightful quiz that helps you understand your teenager's executive function. The results will provide a clear picture of your child's brain function. If the results suggest any form of struggle, I offer a free consultation to help equip you with some valuable tools to support your child.

The Magic of the Student Planner

Your teenager's student planner might seem like a simple spiral notebook for keeping dates, but it holds the potential to be the backbone of their academic success when used correctly. By regularly using the student planner, teenagers can significantly improve their executive functioning skills. This tool is pivotal in task initiation, organization, planning, and prioritization. But what exactly should your student be recording in their planner?

What Goes into the Student Planner?

1. Homework assignments: Your student should record all homework assignments on the day they're due. The 'week-at-a-glance' section is perfect for this. For instance, if your student needs to read 30 pages of Romeo and Juliet for their English homework due on Wednesday, it should be in there.

2. Projects, reports, essays, and tests: These major tasks should go into both the 'week-at-a-glance' and 'month-at-a-glance' sections of the planner. This may seem like double duty, but it's necessary for helping students anticipate and plan for the future, thus avoiding last-minute cramming.

3. School-related appointments: Any school-related appointments, such as retakes or teacher's tutorials, should be included in the planner to ensure they're not forgotten.

Now, let's talk about some strategies to maximize the use of the student planner.

Elevating the Student Planner Use: 3 Ingenious Tips

1. Cross-reference weekly: On a fixed day every week (Sunday afternoons are usually best), meet with your student to cross-reference their planner with their digital classrooms. This ensures all assignments are accounted for and nothing slips through the cracks.

2. Teacher signatures: For struggling students, consider having their teachers sign off on their planners. On Mondays, the teacher checks the planner for correct entries for the week. On Fridays, the teacher verifies if all assignments and tests have been completed. This encourages students to become more responsible and independent in managing their academic tasks.

3. Use streaks and rewards: Teenagers love maintaining 'streaks'. Have your student make a big red 'X' or checkmark for every school day they complete all assignments. You can also consider offering incentives or rewards for a set number of completed tasks.

Your student's planner is not just a record of assignments; it's a powerful tool to increase their scholastic performance. Remember, the tangible and concrete nature of a physical planner is often more impactful than digital options. So, let your student choose a planner they like, but ensure it has both 'week-at-a-glance' and 'month-at-a-glance' sections, and covers the entire school year.

As parents, you also benefit from the planner as it serves as a portal into your child's academic world. It's an effective conversation starter, an accountability tool, and a way for you to co-navigate school with them.

The student planner is indeed a crucial scaffold for your child's scholastic success, particularly for the ADHD brain. Ready to take your teen to the next level? Start by taking our free executive functioning assessment today.