Start the Year Strong: Why Teens Should Build Executive Functioning Skills Early

A new school year is more than just fresh notebooks and a new schedule — it’s a clean slate for habits, goals, and personal growth. For teenagers, starting the year on the right foot can make a huge difference in both academic success and overall well-being. One of the most impactful ways to set them up for success? Strengthening their executive functioning skills right from the start.

What Are Executive Functioning Skills (and Why Should Teens Care)?

Executive functioning is like the brain’s management system — it’s how we plan, stay organized, manage time, remember important information, and adjust when things don’t go as planned. For teens, these skills are essential not just for schoolwork, but also for social life, extracurriculars, and independence.

The core skills include:

• Organization – Keeping track of materials, assignments, and deadlines

• Time Management – Prioritizing tasks and using time effectively

• Planning – Breaking down big goals into smaller, doable steps

• Self-Monitoring – Noticing what’s working and adjusting when needed

• Impulse Control – Thinking before acting, even when emotions run high

• Working Memory – Holding on to and using information when needed

Why Starting Early Matters

Teens often start the year with big intentions — “I’ll be more organized this year” or “I won’t procrastinate.” But without clear strategies and support, those good intentions fade by October.
Here’s why early focus is key:

• Habits form quickly – The first few weeks set the tone for the rest of the year.

• School demands grow fast – Classes get harder, expectations rise, and schedules fill up quickly.

• Confidence builds momentum – Early wins boost motivation and create a sense of control.

By intentionally practicing executive functioning skills at the beginning of the year, teens can create systems that help them stay on track all year long.

Practical Ways Teens Can Strengthen Executive Functioning Skills

1. Create a Weekly Planning Routine
   Choose a set day each week to review assignments, upcoming tests, and activities. Write it down in a planner or digital calendar.

2. Use Visual Organization Tools
   Color-coded folders, sticky notes, and digital reminders can make deadlines harder to forget.

3. Break Big Tasks into Smaller Steps
   A five-page essay feels less overwhelming when it’s broken into brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and revising stages.

4. Set Short-Term, Achievable Goals
   Instead of “I’ll be organized,” try “I will put my homework folder in my backpack as soon as I finish.”

5. Reflect and Adjust
   At the end of each week, ask: What worked well? What can I do differently next week?

The Big Picture

When teens work on executive functioning early in the year, they’re not just improving their grades — they’re learning life skills. These skills help them manage stress, adapt to change, and take ownership of their responsibilities.

Starting the year right isn’t about perfection; it’s about building a toolkit for success that teens can use long after this school year ends.