Organization and Habits combine to leverage powerfully!

Course Description: Students who “own” their own schedule make life better for themselves and others. By implementing solid systems of organization, while building good habits (and perhaps breaking a few bad habits), students can better utilize their time. This improves their grades, as well as their relationships with others. Stress is reduced for both parent and student when good habits are combined with a clear system. This course gives the resources and instruction for a High Schooler to seize this opportunity.

Course Outline:

Day 1 ~ Assessing Your Schedule

Timing Activities

Class Times vs Study Blocks

Other Activities

Spreadsheet Basics

Atomic Habits* ~Fundamentals

Day 2 ~ Setting Up Your Calendar

Life Balance

Color Coding

Normal vs Anomalies

Digital Calendar Basics

Atomic Habits* ~ 1st & 2nd Laws

Day 3 ~ Tracking Your Assignments/Tasks

Minding Requirements

Checking Grades

Self Discipline & Self Control

Conditional Formatting in Spreadsheets

Atomic Habits* ~ 3rd & 4th Laws

Day 4 ~ Maintaining Your System

It all depends on YOU

Daily Maintenance

Weekly Updates

Semester Change-Overs

Atomic Habits* ~ Advanced

Course Materials: (see BOTH book and online)

Book: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

by James Clear ISBN-13:  978-1804222133. Siblings may share a copy, as long as each has time to review the sections assigned or they work together. This book supplements this course, and only certain portions will be assigned, yet reading the whole book is recommended before or after this course. It could be used as a family activity for older students and parents.

• NOTE: *Atomic Habits is written for an adult audience; thus, there are isolated portions with adult themes. In the instructor's view, it does not encourage inappropriate behavior, yet each family should decide independently if this text is appropriate for their student.

• There is a Middle School version of this course, which uses a different text.

Online: Google Resources: Access to a Google Account.

    Note: Online Resources can and should be shared with a parent.

Google Calendar is utilized as a resource. Other digital calendars can be used by students, but the instructions/examples will reference Google Calendar.

Google Sheet Template: Click here to access Organized For Success Google Spreadsheet (for enrolled student use only). Students will receive instructions on how to use this during the first class.

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Total Classes: 4

Duration: 55 minutes per class

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested Credit: ⅓ semester credit

Instructor: Tammy Parker

Instructor email: mentor@pmamentor.com

Homework: Students should plan around 2 hours per day outside of class to review materials.

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How to get the most out of Organized for Success for High School with Tammy Parker:

• BEFORE the first class meeting, ensure you have the Course Materials (see below) AND view/print the Course Outline (see that section).

• Prior to each, print class slides or have a notebook ready and available for class notes.

• Follow assignments listed in each Class.

• Watch or re-watch a class recording if you need to revisit information.

• Do the assignments and self-evaluations in a timely manner for each Class.

• Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records. There are also two surveys, one for Mrs. Parker and one for HSC.