Breaking the Cycle Requires Making a Change

Every student (and parent) heads back into the new school year with renewed optimism. Summer tends to blur the memories of the previous school year and students return from break determined that things will be different this year: 

• “I’m going to write down all of my homework in my assignment book!”
• “I’m not going to leave anything until the last minute!”
• “I’m going to spend less time on video games/my phone/the internet and more time on schoolwork!”

Here’s the rub: if the student hasn’t done anything to affect a change in habits, hope alone isn’t going to bring about the change you and your child are eager to see. Even the best of intentions fall short when there’s no action plan in place that impels the student to do things differently. Sit down with your child and identify specific actions your child will take to bring about a change in habits. Because the more things don’t change, the more they stay the same.