How can I create a balanced timetable for my tired 8-year-old son who attends school in the second shift?

Ans: Time management is the key to success.
Productivity is not through number of hours but through quality of time to be spent at each course.Smart study hours along with continuous schedules should help. Be consistent in the efforts and maintain a log for understanding how he has planned vs spent his day.

Ans: Hello Saket!!

It is unfair to expect a child all of 08 to come back home from school late in the evening and study(I am assuming he is home by 6.30 PM). You can shift his study time to the morning hours, say from 8 to 10 AM.

Now to manage his well being after coming back from school.
Take care of the following-
1. it's a good time to introduce time management to your 8yr old son
2. on a Sunday when both of you are relatively free, involve him to make a time table for studies. Stick the time table in a place where it is visible to him
3.let him relax for an hr after coming back from school
4.if you assume 10 PM is his sleeping time( the child needs 9-12 hrs of sleep), and 7:45 PM is dinner time, some where between dinner time and sleeping time, see if you can manage a little bit of HW/studies
5. there is so much happening at school apart from studies, he is developing - social skills, coping mechanism, developing new ideas ,etc....let home be a place where he is loved, nourished and a place to relax and rejuvenate
6. have fixed time to study and make him study during those hours.

You cannot be rigid, every child's requirements are different try out what suits you and your family!!

Happy parenting!!

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
The main issues:
1. Lack of focus which can be due to lack of interest in his chosen field of academics
2. Lack of discipline which can be due to excess online presence
Visit to the psych (psychologist or psychiatrist?) has not been fruitful simply because in his mind there is no issue to solve and sort. Till he becomes aware of what his actions are causing, the process with an expert will not work.
I suggest find an expert in your city/town who can handle adolescents especially in this digital age as the life out there for them is confusing and perhaps intimidating as well.
In the meantime, motivate him by being with him rather than pointing what he is and isn't doing. That is only going to make him go further into a shell. Arguments and then crying could be his way of not being able to cope up with pressures of what he is going through. Support him and eventually through therapy/counseling/coaching, he will be able to gather himself and do what's right for him.

All the best!

Ans: Dear Riya,

Firstly, let me applaud your determination and dedication towards your studies. Balancing preparations for multiple competitive exams alongside your board examinations is indeed a Herculean task, but fret not, as I'm here to assist you in navigating through this challenging yet exciting journey.

Sleep is undoubtedly vital for your overall health and academic performance. Burning the midnight oil is commendable, but if it comes at the cost of your well-being, it's time to tweak your schedule a bit. Here are some actionable tips to help you manage your time effectively while ensuring you get enough rest:

1. Strategize Your Study Schedule: Instead of cramming all your study hours into the night, distribute them throughout the day. Identify your peak productivity hours and allocate your most challenging tasks to those times. This will help you make the most of your study sessions without feeling overly fatigued.

2. Prioritize and Plan: Make a daily or weekly study plan, prioritizing topics based on their importance and your proficiency in them. Breaking down your study material into manageable chunks will not only make it less overwhelming but also ensure that you cover everything thoroughly.

3. Quality Over Quantity: Remember, it's not about how many hours you study but rather how effectively you utilize the time you have. Focus on understanding the concepts rather than just memorizing them. Utilize techniques like active recall, spaced repetition, and concept mapping to enhance your learning efficiency.

4. Take Regular Breaks: Incorporate short breaks into your study routine to prevent burnout and maintain concentration. Use these breaks to stretch, hydrate yourself, or indulge in a quick hobby to rejuvenate your mind.

5. Optimize Your Sleep Environment: Create a conducive sleep environment by ensuring your room is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. Limit exposure to screens before bedtime and establish a relaxing pre-sleep routine to signal your body that it's time to unwind.

6. Practice Self-Care: Don't neglect your physical and mental well-being amidst your rigorous study schedule. Make time for activities that you enjoy, whether it's listening to music, going for a walk, or spending quality time with loved ones. A well-rested and rejuvenated mind is more productive and focused.

7. Stay Flexible: Be open to adjusting your study schedule as per your evolving needs and circumstances. Flexibility is key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and ensuring long-term success.

Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your academic journey be. Embrace the process, stay persistent, and don't hesitate to seek support from your teachers, mentors, or peers whenever needed.

As the saying goes, "Work smarter, not harder." So, equip yourself with effective study strategies, prioritize your well-being, and tackle those exams with confidence and determination.

Wishing you all the best in your endeavors, Riya! You've got this!

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I would be worried too...
Too little sleep does not refresh the body or the mind. The sharp mind depends on how well-rested it is!

Competitive exams preparation demand so much out of students. If I am right, many institutions in cities have Integrated syllabus wherein the child has some breathing space and leeway. I am not sure of this...So, educationists may guide you further on this...

But on the front of well-being, I can only tell you one thing...he needs good food, good sleep, good amount of exercise and good rest to be able to function well. It could just be a case where you need to rework his schedules in order to ensure that he is fit to actually be able to study and study hard. Health first!

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/