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Back-to-school Tips for Homeschooling High School

by Jessica Parnell | Sep 11, 2018 | 3 min read

It’s September, and the school year has just begun! There seems to be so much to do to stay ahead of the game — so many courses and requirements, it may seem like you can’t finish anything. Maybe you’re starting a new homeschool program or taking college courses. The start of the school year holds promise and expectations, but it can be a disaster if you don’t think through the best way to start the school year and what can work for you! Below are some homeschooling tips to help you start your homeschooling year off right.

4 Homeschooling High School Rules to Follow

  1. Set realistic goals. What’s the best way to start the school year off right? Set realistic homeschooling goals. You don’t need to have every detail planned out; instead, start by making an end goal. For example, if you are taking a semester-long math course, set a date that you want to finish by and a grade that you want to finish with. Then, throughout the semester, you can be working towards that goal and making changes that will enable you to reach that goal. Have your parents help you with this so you know what’s expected of you and can manage all that’s on your plate.
  2. Organize your space and time. The best way to start the homeschooling school year is to be organized. And I’m not just talking about your books! Notes, assignments, papers, curriculum, etc., all need to be organized well. Studies have shown that writing things down helps you remember different tasks that you need to complete. Not only that, but it is much easier to look back at your week and see if you accomplished all that you set out to accomplish. I like to have a planner and a 3-ring binder for each class. Organize notes, tests, and projects in each binder so you can easily prove what you’ve learned during an end-of-year evaluation.
  3. Plan your day, every day. Homeschooling is challenging because you must be self-motivated. This means you are responsible to keep yourself on task. Your parents aren’t going to college with you, and they aren’t going to be with you the first day on the job. So, get yourself in gear and learn to plan and manage your own time! The key is to plan your day out the day before so that you have an idea of when you need to get up and what you must get done. But be realistic; if you like sleeping in, don’t plan on getting up at 7 am. It will make you more tired and less motivated throughout the day. Give yourself brain breaks throughout the day so you don’t burn out. During these breaks, you should eat power foods or go for a walk. If you homeschool with family members or friends, you can use this time to play games or make a meal. If you have a set plan, you are more likely to get things done than if you just “go with it.”
  4. Treat your body well. We all know we need to eat well, get exercise, and get 8 hours of sleep. But do you know why? Your brain won’t work well if you’re not well-hydrated, don’t have adequate sleep, and don’t get good nutrition. So, when you study without eating or sleeping well, you’re just wasting your time. Exercise helps release stress and gives you more energy for your homeschooling day. One thing most students forget is to hydrate. Water helps you focus, it keeps your skin clear, and it helps you stay motivated! So opt for water or a sports drink instead of soda. I promise you will see and feel results almost immediately and your grades will improve.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions and get help from a homeschool academy if you’re struggling. Often, we wait too long as teens to ask for help! An accredited homeschool academy can be the ticket you need to a smooth high school homeschooling ride. Bridgeway has advisors that are always by your side to help you get organized, maintain good grades, find successful homeschooling strategies — and above all — be prepared for what’s to come.

Jessica Parnell
Hello everyone! I’m Jessica Parnell — mom, homeschool evaluator, teacher, and CEO of Bridgeway Academy. In my 20+ years of experience as a homeschool mom and evaluator, I have had the privilege of meeting homeschoolers that take a variety of approaches to their education. It is their many stories and successes that inspire me in my own homeschooling and I love to pass on the knowledge that I have gained from them to other homeschooling families. The one constant that always remains true is that there’s no such thing as a “cookie cutter child.” Each child is fearfully and wonderfully made and as a result, learns and functions differently. It’s our job to ensure that we’re raising each child to fulfill their individual purpose and when we can teach in a way that inspires them, we are on our way to homeschool success. When I’m not writing or teaching my children, I like to ski, write and participate in triathlons. I graduated from Kutztown University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters in English and I am currently pursuing a degree in Neuroleadership.
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