Savvy Aunties can help the students in their lives to have a successful school year.

Student Planners. Most schools issue their students a paper planner for them to use to document assignments and projects. Sit down with your nieces and nephews and help them plan out their projects. The easiest way is to write down the project due date and then go backwards in the calendar to set smaller, weekly goals.

The School Calendar. Ask their parents or look on the school’s website for their school calendar schedules. Add report card dates, holidays and other important dates on your calendar so you can plan ahead. If your nieces and nephews play sports, dance, or other activities, add those to your calendar as well.

For college and technical students, check out the school website to find out their holiday and semester schedules.

When we see these dates on our calendar, it’s a great way to remind ourselves to spend time with the important people in our lives.

Plan Outings. Use the school calendar to plan future outings around their holiday schedule. Also, you can check in to see how those report cards went and praise them for their grades and behavior. Before school starts, plan an outing to kick off the new school year, such as getting a pedicure, the “back-to-school” haircut or clothes shopping, or a special lunch. If you weren’t able to do something before school began, plan something special around the school holidays.

For college students, check to see what attractions and places offer student discounts. Savvy Aunties love saving a few bucks.

School Supply Check. Depending on where you live, kids are either already back in school or prepping to start after Labor Day. Do the school supply check! Do they have everything they need? Ask for a copy of the school supply list so you can scout any sales to replenish anything throughout the year. One of my friends, who is a single Mom, always appreciate how her daughters’ Aunties are the ones who find the school supplies  and pick up the items her daughters need.  They scout out school supply sales to make this happen.

The Reading List. If the students in your life have a reading list or have to read a certain play or book, read it with them and discuss it. Create your own personal book club. A simple internet search will help you find discussion questions you can use to foster critical thinking skills.
 
Tutoring. We all have a subject that’s harder for us. Aunts can be the tutor for subjects that are their forte or help support their niece and nephew with tutoring endeavors by asking questions and checking in. With my nieces and nephews, I’ve done several phone tutoring sessions on writing and English homework. If I had kids, I would send them to my sister and brother for anything related to math and chemistry.

Check out Khan Academy which features a variety of short videos on many, many subjects.