Helping our youth get organized: a simple guide to getting started with Octave
22 January, 2025
Good organization can seem daunting, especially for our young people who juggle school, extracurricular activities and their social life. However, with the right tools and an adapted approach, planning can become child's play. Here is a simple and effective guide to help 9-14 year olds create their first schedule in Octave.
Why plan?
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Getting organized isn’t just an adult chore! It’s a superpower that allows our youth to:
- Reduce their stress when faced with deadlines
- Never forget anything again (goodbye to last-minute homework!)
- Have more time for fun
- Developing their autonomy
Where to start?
The key to success? Take it step by step, starting with the basics. Here’s how to structure your schedule:
📚 School first
Start with the recurring elements:
- Class schedule
- Exam dates as soon as they are known
- Deadlines for the work
- Special activities and school trips
- Special privileges
🏃♂️ Extracurricular activities next
Add anything related to leisure:
- Training or class schedules
- Upcoming tournaments and shows
- Lists of necessary equipment
- Reminders so you don't forget anything
🏠 And personal life
Don't forget the important moments:
- Medical appointments
- Birthdays of loved ones
- Activities with friends
- Responsibilities at home
- Personal goals
Tips that make the difference
To make planning more fun and effective:
- Use color codes to differentiate activity types
- Add emojis to brighten up the schedule
- Create reminders for important things
- Check the schedule every evening for the next day
To conclude
Planning should not be a constraint, but rather a tool to gain freedom and confidence. By adopting these habits early, our young people develop skills that will be useful to them throughout their lives. And remember: the perfect schedule does not exist, the important thing is to find your own rhythm!
To help you with this process, we have created a practical reminder available directly in Octave. You can also download and print it in the form of small tricks to display near your child's workspace!