Pencils sharpened, backpacks ready, new socks and shoes, school supplies marked with your name, checklist checked....Are you ready for school?
Around here we have just SIXTEEN days until school starts. It is a mixture of anticipation, excitement, and sadness as our schedules will change. We love the routine of school but we also love the time together as a family during the summer time.
Even though the seasons change, we want to keep our Bible reading and time with the Lord as a top priority, which can be hard to do when the demands of school begin. What can you do to get ready for the schedule change?
- Start going to bed a little earlier each night. Yuck! I'm a night owl but I have to adjust my schedule in order to function when I have to be somewhere by 7:55 a.m. Most young ladies I know need at least eight hours of sleep or more. So, if you've been staying up until 11:00 p.m., then maybe tonight you can get to bed by 10:30 p.m., by Thursday move it up to 10:00 p.m., then 9:30 p.m, etc...until you're getting your full rest.
- Start waking up earlier. Yuck! So, you've been sleeping until 8:30 a.m., well, you'll have to adjust to an earlier schedule. How early do you need to get up? I've always done a backwards countdown to know when to get up. Example:
- 7:40 a.m. - time to walk to the car
- 7:37 a.m. - get backpack, lunch, music books, p.e. clothes, kiss mom
- 7:35 a.m. - put shoes on
- 7:30 a.m. - Brush teeth
- 7:15 a.m. - Eat Breakfast, clean up
- 7:00 a.m. - Read Bible and pray
- 6:55 a.m. - Make bed, put up nightgown
- 6:45 a.m. - comb and style hair
- 6:35 a.m. - Get dressed
- 6:30 a.m. - Wake up, wash face, brush teeth
- Go through your closet and try on every outfit and pair of shoes. You'll save time if you have your clothes ready. If clothes are too short, tight, or small give them away. Someone will appreciate getting "new" school clothes and you'll be a blessing.
- Start praying for a great school year.
- Write a note of thanks to your teacher and give it to her on the first day of school.
- Start doing more mental activities in the next few days. Look over some of last year's school books, especially English and math. Review rules and formulas just for fun, not punishment!
- Take advantage of these last few free days and do some fun things: go to the park, go swimming, play with the water hose, have a picnic, bake some cookies, do crafts, etc...
Abraham Lincoln said, "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." Why don't we make up our minds to be happy to go to school, happy to get up early, and happy to spend time in God's word every morning.
