Year 8.

Welcome to our Year 8 Info Page. Here you can find a range of resources to help you to get organised, manage stress or practise positive mental wellbeing strategies.

Planning a Routine

Why routines are helpful

· They can make you feel secure and help you to deal with stressful events.

· They indicate what’s important to you and your family.

· They can help your day run a little smoother.

· They teach you basic work and time management skills.

Bonus: If you get into a routine, it will help to avoid missing important dates and activities and it can give you more time for the things that are really important to you.

Manage your expectations

It’s difficult to stick to a routine at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. The purpose of planning a routine is to provide structure you so that things can get done. If things don’t always go perfectly to plan (and they won’t!), consider what could help next time (e.g. waking up a bit earlier, or trying to fit less in). Go easy on yourself – this is a challenging time and you’re trying your best.

How to stick to a routine

1. Work out your priorities

The key to routine is planning. Take a look at your timetable and make sure you are putting your schoolwork as a priority. You should also think about what kind of self care activities you would like to schedule into your routine. Have a chat to someone at home, talk about your expectations, as well as their expectations and remember that building routines is something you practise over time rather than master all at once.

2. Write down what needs to be done

Write down the categories of all the things you need to get done. This list should include the basics such as work and school, mealtimes, bedtime and housework. Add how long those things will take, so it will be easier to slot them into the schedule.

Then put a time on it – for example, breakfast is at 8 am, lunch at noon, dinner at 6 pm (or whatever works for you). List these so that the categories correspond to their times.

3. Make space for downtime

If the routine only includes study and chores, it can look pretty unappealing. Build in some downtime for you to chill out and do something you enjoy. For example, you could break study into 20-minute blocks with a short break. You could think about what you like to do to unwind and write up a separate list of these things. (This could include reading, online gaming, working out, chatting with friends, etc.)

4. Make it visual – use the template

Having something written up and in sight (such as on the fridge) will make it far more likely to be done.

You can use the Schedule Planner pdf attached either by writing on it digitally or print the planner and write in the activities yourself.

Pro tip: If you’re handwriting entries, add them in pencil so you can adjust things later if needed.

Download and print the Schedule Planner using the following link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-AuhAu8DERczoX_Zd2Mxd8wToz4NXM9K/view?usp=sharing