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Exams can be a significant source of stress for school-aged adolescents, but with the right time
management skills, students can navigate their academic responsibilities with confidence. This
blog offers practical tips to help students prepare for weekly, monthly, and mid-term exams while
ensuring they have time for rest, chores, and entertainment. As a student advisor, I am dedicated
to helping students develop these crucial skills, and I urge parents to support their children in
mastering effective time management.

Weekly Planning: Stay on Top of Your Studies

1. Create a Study Schedule: Dedicate specific times each day for studying. Break your subjects
   into manageable chunks and focus on one subject at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
2. Prioritize Tasks: List out your assignments and rank them by priority. Tackle the most critical
   tasks first to ensure they are completed on time.
3. Set Daily Goals: Outline what you aim to achieve each day. Small, daily goals can lead to
   significant progress over the week.
4. Include Breaks: Schedule short breaks between study sessions to rest and recharge. A 5-10
   minutes break every hour can boost productivity and concentration.
5. Review and Adjust: At the end of each week, review your schedule. Assess what worked and
   what didn’t, and adjust accordingly for the next week.

Monthly Planning: Keep the Bigger Picture in Mind

1. Monthly Overview: At the start of each month, mark important dates, such as exam days and
   deadlines, on a calendar. This helps you visualize your month ahead.
2. Break Down Major Tasks: For larger projects or exams, break them down into smaller tasks
   and spread them out over the month. This prevents last-minute cramming.
3. Balance Your Activities: Ensure your schedule includes time for rest, chores, and
   entertainment. A balanced approach helps maintain mental and physical well-being.
4. Check Progress: Mid-month, review your progress. Are you on track? Adjust your plan if
   necessary to stay aligned with your goals.

Mid-Term Planning: Prepare for Major Exams

1. Start Early: Begin your review at least two weeks before mid-term exams. Early preparation
   reduces stress and improves retention.
2. Create a Revision Plan: Divide your subjects into daily study sessions, focusing on one or two
   subjects each day. Allocate more time to subjects you find challenging.
3. Practice with Past Papers: Use past exam papers to familiarize yourself with the format and
   types of questions. This also helps identify areas where you need more practice.
4. Group Study Sessions: Consider studying with friends to discuss difficult topics. Group study
   can provide different perspectives and enhance understanding.
5. Healthy Routine: Ensure you get enough sleep, eat healthily, and exercise regularly. Physical
   well-being is crucial for optimal cognitive function during exam periods.

Time for Rest, Chores, and Entertainment: A Balanced Life

1. Schedule Downtime: Make sure to include time for relaxation and hobbies in your schedule.
   Downtime is essential for reducing stress and maintaining motivation.
2. Manage Chores Efficiently: Break household chores into smaller tasks and spread them
   throughout the week. This prevents chores from piling up and becoming overwhelming.
3. Family Time: Spend quality time with family to strengthen bonds and gain emotional support.
   Family activities can provide a refreshing break from academic pressures.

Call to Action: Partnering for Success
As a student advisor, my goal is to equip students with the skills they need to succeed
academically and personally. Time management is a vital skill that not only helps students
perform better in school but also prepares them for future responsibilities. I encourage parents to
actively support their children in developing these habits. Together, we can create a structured,
supportive environment that fosters academic success and well-rounded development.

Conclusion:
Effective time management is key to academic success and personal well-being. By
implementing these tips, students can prepare for exams in a structured, stress-free manner, while
still enjoying time for rest and leisure. Remember, balancing study with rest and entertainment is
essential for maintaining a healthy and productive lifestyle. If you need personalized guidance or
support, feel free to reach out. Let’s work together to ensure every student thrives.

Parenting a child with special needs is a journey filled with unique challenges, but it is also a
path illuminated by profound love, strength, and incredible possibilities. In her insightful book,
Embracing Possibilities: Nurturing Children with Special Needs* Vanesia Bowden provides
powerful testament to the beauty and potential that lies within every child. This blog draws
inspiration from her work to offer encouragement, celebrate your resilience, and remind you that
you are not alone.

Your Strength and God’s Design
Each day, you rise to meet the needs of your child with grace and determination. Your child is
called “special” not just because of their unique challenges, but because they are a divine
creation, perfectly made by God. Embracing their differences means celebrating the distinct gifts
they bring into the world. Bowden reminds us that every child’s abilities and contributions are
valuable, emphasizing that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Success Stories to Inspire
History is rich with examples of individuals who have thrived despite their special needs. Think
of Helen Keller, who overcame the dual barriers of blindness and deafness to become a
renowned author and advocate for disability rights. Consider Stephen Hawking, who, despite
living with ALS, made groundbreaking contributions to theoretical physics. These stories, among

many others, exemplify the boundless potential within every child.

Bowden’s book likely contains similar inspiring accounts, showcasing how children with special
needs, when nurtured and supported, can achieve remarkable things. These stories underscore
that with the right nurturing and support, your child can thrive and excel.

Building a Supportive Community
One of the most significant messages in Embracing Possibilities is the importance of
community. You are not alone on this journey. There is a vast network of parents, caregivers, and
professionals ready to share their experiences, resources, and support. Joining support groups,
both online and in-person, can provide invaluable encouragement and practical advice. By
connecting with others who understand your challenges, you can find strength and inspiration.

Celebrating Your Role
Take a moment to acknowledge your unwavering dedication and love. Every step you take, every
barrier you help your child overcome, is a testament to your extraordinary resilience. You are a
beacon of hope and strength, guiding your child towards their fullest potential. Bowden’s book
highlights the critical role parents play, not just in nurturing their child’s abilities, but in
advocating for a world that recognizes and celebrates their worth.

Parenting is often described as the hardest job in the world, yet it is also the most rewarding. As you navigate the complexities of raising adolescents, it’s essential to recognize the profound impact your involvement has on their lives. This blog celebrates your dedication, provides insight into the advantages of being an engaged parent, and highlights the bright future you’re helping to create for your children.

The Heart of Parenting
Every late-night conversation, every school event attended, every boundary set and respected—these are the moments that define your role as a parent. Your unwavering presence and support are the cornerstones of your child’s development. Research shows that adolescents with highly involved parents are more likely to excel academically, develop strong self-esteem, and engage in healthier social relationships.

Consider these powerful statistics:

• Adolescents with involved parents are 30% more likely to graduate high school and pursue higher education compared to their peers with less engaged parents.
• They are 40% less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as substance abuse or delinquency.
• These adolescents report higher levels of life satisfaction and emotional well-being, with a 25% lower incidence of mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

These numbers tell a compelling story—your involvement is not just beneficial; it’s transformative.

The Ripple Effect
Your dedication doesn’t just impact the present; it shapes the future. By being actively involved in your child’s life, you’re modeling the importance of responsibility, empathy, and resilience. Your influence extends beyond immediate outcomes, fostering a generation that values connection, perseverance, and integrity. Reflect on the times your own parents were present—or absent—and how those experiences shaped your values and choices. Your children are absorbing these lessons, too, paving the way for their future relationships and endeavors.

Challenges and Rewards
Being an involved parent isn’t without its challenges. It demands time, energy, and sometimes, difficult conversations. But the rewards are immeasurable. Your adolescent feels seen, heard, and valued. They know they have a safe space to return to, no matter what the world throws at them. Your investment today is a gift that keeps giving, instilling confidence and security that will guide them through life’s ups and downs.

Inspiration and Encouragement
Take a moment to acknowledge your efforts. Every step you take in your child’s journey is a testament to your love and commitment. You’re not just raising a child; you’re nurturing a future leader, a compassionate friend, a resilient individual. The path of parenthood is filled with uncertainties, but your consistent presence is a beacon of hope and stability.

Conclusion
As you continue this incredible journey, remember that your involvement is a powerful force in your child’s life. Celebrate the victories, learn from the challenges, and cherish the unique bond you share. The future is bright because of you. Your dedication and love are crafting a legacy of strength, kindness, and success. Keep believing in yourself—you are doing an amazing job.

When I was a kid, I always wanted to help people. I grew up the youngest child of six children for my parents, seeing my parents always helping while not having enough for themselves. It was a kind of sacrificial helping that was showcased in the Bible.

My life was not a fairytale kind of upbringing. I was molested as a child and did not have anyone to relate my ordeal to, as a child, so I silently lived with it until I was able to let it stop. I decided, at age 13, that this would be the last time anything of this nature would happen to me and I would make it my life mission to help others find their voice and help themselves to get out of uncomfortable situations.

While it was not the most healthy habit, I developed a personality of protector which pulled many young persons seeking my guidance and protection. I became very angry and whenever I did not feel protected or understood, I would lash out to ensure that whoever had hurt me would also feel the pain they caused me. It was only when I tapped into my walk with my Creator, did I started realizing that what I was doing was not aligned with His teachings and it was breaking His heart. I sought counseling and biblical strategies that propelled me into my Social Work career and a more intimate walk with Christ.

My purpose became clearer when I was always the go-to person for individuals, even strangers, to come to and offload some of their deepest secrets. I felt my most complete and at peace when I was helping others; I felt even more at ease when I developed a deeper desire to understand what my Creator expected of me.

Now, working with inner-city youth, mentoring teens and adolescents, and authoring my books, I realize that my purpose is and always will be to create a safe space for individuals to come and express themselves without fear of judgment or being ostracized.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
The most exciting and special thing about what I do is being able to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the community I serve, inner city youths, high school students and the special needs. When I hear a client say “I have made their lives so much easier” or that I am considered “a safe space”, I know I am making that impact and doing it right. I believe fully in my purpose and I make every effort to have it fully recognized.

With undergrad and graduate degrees in Social Work, I mentored and counselled adolescents and adults for approximately twenty-five years. These sessions and discussions have propelled my writing journey.

I practice as a Social Worker, Student Adviser, Consultant, Adjunct Instructor and Entrepreneur, while helping to create thought-provoking and inspirational discussions one “golden mind” at a time.

A graduate of Northern Caribbean University, Jamaica (BSW) and Rutgers University, New Jersey (MSW), Jamaican native, a Christ-led wife to an amazing husband, mother to a Bullmastiff-Rottweiler mixed girl/dog – Belle, favored aunt and last of six children. I have devoted my time and space to helping individuals overcome adversities, recognize their potential and return to a place of full social integration with the unshakeable understanding that Christ remains the center of it all. My Christ-walk and opinions are far from traditional, but they are thought provoking, enlightening, scripture led and somewhat comedic.

I embody strength and individuality with the full belief that the only way for us to reach our full potential in anything is by tapping into our full desires.

– “You cannot know the full story only reading/living a part of it” – Tena Fernandez

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities, skills or area of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey? I would have to say:

1. My faith in God have caused me to look at people and situations differently and with a more open viewpoint. Knowing that we are all imperfect beings that can only change when we can identify our flaws.

2. My bond with my family: husband & siblings. This gives me a space to release and rebuild when I become overwhelmed after long sessions daily. Being able to return to a space that gives me solace and joy

3. The ability to keep my circle very small and my reliance on God optimal.

I would tell folks to tap into that space that makes you smile, share less and keep their connection and desires aligned with the Creators. In so doing you would be protecting your sanity, safe guarding yourself from burn out, and staying in alignment with your Creators will and promises for your life.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am a firm believer that we cannot do anything alone. We always need, at the very least, one person to work with us on this journey to purpose or to ensure that our messages and are herald globally; hence, I am looking to collaborate with individuals who – works with individuals in underserved communities.
– persons who need individual mentoring and counseling
– Christian podcasters with a passion for helping new converts navigate the Christ center space
– new converts who needs clarity on how to tap into the desires of God and His plans for us.

I can be contacted at:
email: tenaefernandez@gmail.com or info.inspiremet@gmail.com
instagram: @tenafernandez_inspiremet

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @tenafernandez_inspiremet
• Facebook: MrsFabulous Tena