Changing Your Habits and Mindset- Tips You Can Give Your Child

 

I delivered my ‘Tips for the 11 Plus’ mentoring session to my students recently; they will be taking their test in the first and second week of September. The objective of the session was to get them mentally prepared for the day as well as what to do the night before and morning of the test. 

 

A good night’s sleep is important to rest the body, as well as a balanced and healthy breakfast to fuel the brain. (This applies to my younger and older students). 

 

 

Small incremental changes can make a difference to a situation. For example, how, when and where you study can get you either focused or in a state of anxiety. Changing your habit is essential for personal growth and success. By incorporating these changes provided, you can make significant improvements in your daily routine. 

 

 

Evaluating your current habits and identifying the areas that need improvement is the first step. Are there any habits that are hindering your progress or affecting your overall well-being? Once you have identified these habits, make a firm commitment to change them. 

 

Setting specific and realistic goals for yourself is the second step. For instance, if you want to improve your overall grade or understand a challenging topic, set a goal to minimize distractions and allocate specific time slots for focused work. By setting clear goals, you can measure your progress and stay motivated. 

 

Create a Plan 

 

Creating a plan of action with your parents, teachers and peers is the third step. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps. For example, if you want to improve your grades, start by committing to a short revision session three or four times a week. Gradually increase the duration, whilst taking regular breaks to rest. Having a well-thought-out plan will make it easier for you to follow through. 

 

Next, sharing your goals with someone who can hold you accountable will increase your chances of success. They can provide guidance, encouragement, and hold you responsible for your actions, as I do with my students when they- sometimes- do not complete their work. 

 

Implement Your Plan 

 

Furthermore, implement new habits gradually. Attempting to change multiple habits at once can be overwhelming and make it more difficult to stick to the changes. Start with one habit at a time and focus on making it a natural part of your routine before moving on to the next one. For example if your child is struggling with creative writing, get them to watch a film. One of my students really struggled with writing and planning a story; I suggested to him to watch ‘Planet of the Apes’, which he did with the family. He was so excited after watching the film that he based his ‘Big Write’ around the characters and the plot. His mum and I were impressed with his work; it was the best story he had written in several months. Since then, his creative writing and creativity overall has improved. 

 

It is essential to understand that changing a habit and your mindset, is not an easy process. It takes time and effort. However, it is important to remind ourselves that change is indeed possible. By committing to change, we are empowering ourselves to take control of our lives and actively work towards improvement. 

 

 

Lastly, celebrate your progress along the way. Recognize and reward yourself for each milestone achieved. This will reinforce the positive changes and motivate you to continue improving. I have a student whose treat is to watch a film with his family every Friday night after a long week at school and being tutored, which he looks really looks forward to.