By Cedar Hill Prep Alumni, Ms. Anjola Odukoya

By October, the back-to-school bliss has likely worn off. The new notebooks, purchased in August, are a little less crisp. The excitement of seeing friends every day has become routine, and the real academic workload has arrived. For students, this marks the true beginning of the school year, and for parents, it’s a time to provide steady support. As a proud Cedar Hill Prep alum and current college student, I know this season all too well.

While I’ll spend this October studying from the desk in my dorm room at Boston University, I vividly remember my CHP days when my sibling and I would spread out our textbooks and loose worksheets from our folders on the dining room table after school. My mom never hovered, but she always sat nearby in the living room.

We wanted to respect her time because she wouldn’t go upstairs until we finished all our assignments, so we worked hard and more efficiently. That simple habit of having her nearby became the rhythm that kept us steady.

The transition from the highly anticipated first weeks of September to the steady pace of October is about more than just an increase in workload. It is also about creating environments that encourage motivation and discipline, even when enthusiasm wanes.

Here’s why the fall transition matters

According to researchers Hengchen Dai, Katherine Milkman, and Jason Riis, the ‘Fresh Start Effect’ widely experienced phenomenon where “people exhibit a higher likelihood of engaging in aspirational behaviors following temporal landmarks such as the initiation of new calendar cycles (e.g., the start of a new week, month, year, or academic semester), holidays, and birthdays.” However, studies show that this boost in motivation subsides as the landmark fades into the background.

At CHP, however, students are supported through these transitions in unique ways. With small class sizes, averaging 13.5 students from Pre-K to middle school, and a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Cedar Hill Prep fosters a learning environment where children are truly seen, ensuring they don’t slip through the cracks. Unlike the New Jersey public school system, where the average student-to-teacher ratio for elementary through high school is 12:1, studies show that classes range in size from 16 to 20 students on average.

A Strong Foundation

In my experience, elementary through middle school is one of the last times in your educational journey that teachers will provide personalized assistance and review of your performance through parent-teacher conferences and detailed comments on report cards automatically. From high school on, you have to seek out your professors at designated study halls, office hours, or via email, where you may wait hours for an answer to what seems like a straightforward question.

That’s why CHP provides such a unique foundational education. The teachers make an effort to observe every student, enhance their strengths, and assist them in areas of weakness, before they are sent off into a world where assistance isn’t automatic.

Here are four ways to support your child as the semester deepens:

• Create consistent routines. Predictable after-school schedules help children shift from “school mode” to “homework mode.” Routines ensure discipline shows up in those moments when motivation or focus fades.
• Be present, even quietly. Like my mom sitting nearby as we worked, your presence can reassure children and encourage them. You don’t always need to help directly; just being accessible demonstrates that learning is valued.
• Break down big tasks. Show children how to break down assignments into manageable steps. Celebrate progress, not just finished results.
• Lastly, partner with teachers. One of CHP’s strengths is its faculty’s close attention to each child. Stay connected with teachers early to prevent small struggles from escalating into bigger problems.

Looking ahead

October is when school truly “begins.” For parents, it’s the perfect time to help children solidify good habits, resilience, and focus. Cedar Hill Prep gave me an education grounded in discipline that shaped my path well beyond the classroom.

As I begin this alumni blog, I want to share reflections, strategies, and community stories that keep us connected not only to the school but also to one another. Here’s to a strong fall semester, and to supporting students as they settle into the rhythms of growth.