Seton Magazine Catholic Homeschool Articles, Advice & Resources
Summer is coming to a close. Hot weather might not be ending, but we are all aware that school is right around the corner. It’s been a fun summer, but now it’s time to get back into routine and start our next year—how exciting!
I always loved opening the new box of books from Seton and seeing all the packing peanuts spilling out. There are all those fresh books just waiting to be read.
Here are some of my favorite tips for getting back into the school mood and swinging into routine again.
1. Look over your new books.
If you haven’t already done this, that is. I loved looking over my new books and flipping through them to see what was ahead of me.
I would look at the reading I needed to do, flip through my science book and look at the projects, or, my favorite during grade school, check out the stories from the Faith and Freedom readers!
Check it all out so you know what needs to be done for the new school year and can prepare yourself.
2. Get some new notebooks.
I don’t know about you, but there’s something very appealing to me about a new, lined notebook. I just want to grab a pencil and start writing!
A good old ruled notebook from Walmart may do the trick, but if you like pretty things, find some fun composition books or notebooks/journals to use for writing or organizing.
3. Write lists.
I love lists. They are a perfect solution for getting organized and making sure you know what needs to be done.
You might just need a list of supplies to get for the school year; but I like to write lists of my school books, my assignments, my reading, etc. It really helps me visualize the new school year.
4. Write out a schedule.
This can be an in-depth calendar of everything you need to do, or just a light schedule. It depends on your lifestyle.
In my early high-school years, I worked a part-time job. I would write out a list for the month and put in the days I worked or had any extra activities so I knew ahead of time what to expect.
My parents always made sure I put school first, so this helped me to know when my free time was and when were the best hours for school. So, try a calendar or list for your schedule; I think you’ll find it helps.
5. Pray.
Seton has in many (if not most) Course Manuals prayers to certain Saints for certain subjects or prayers for before beginning school.
Take the time to read and pray them. They really give you peace and strength. If you forget to do it when you begin the subject, pray it when you need a 5 minute rest.
Or, you can always pray “The Student’s Prayer” to St. Thomas Aquinas.
I hope these tips will help you with you new year of school! Lots of good luck on this year’s journey. God bless, everyone!
“Summer ends now; now, barbarous in beauty, the stooks arise
Around; up above, what wind-walks! what lovely behaviour
Of silk-sack clouds! has wilder, willful-waiver
Meal-drift molded ever and melted across skies?”
– Gerard Manley Hopkins, “Hurrahing in Harvest”
About Mary Anslinger
Mary Anslinger is a 22-year-old girl who was educated from Kindergarten with Seton Home Study School. She enjoys being with her family, taking care of her Autistic sister, and helping others. She hopes to move through college and earn a degree in Elementary Teaching/Education. She loves music – especially playing organ and piano. She tries daily to live out the will of God and help others.
