The average American child aged 2 to 5 watches about 32 hours of TV a week. That’s more than four hours a day! And that only drops to 28 hours per week for kids aged 6 to 8. Your kids’ TV time takes away from schoolwork, physical activity and contributes is linked to health problems later in life. Plus, if your kids watch too much TV without your guidance, they can begin to look at risky behaviors (think: drinking, smoking and performing violent acts) as ”cool.”

The couch calls your name tenderly as your mother’s voice rings in your years, urging you to work out and lose the Freshman 15 35. You wanted to be more active in 2017, but binging on spiked egg nog and triple chocolate fudge cookies as you remind your family that yes, you’re still single, the holiday season has left you tired. All you want for 2017 is to be comfortable. 

As the new school year begins, now is the time to set yourself (or your student) up for success. Here are a few study tips to help make 2016 your most successful and productive year yet. 

Diminish distractions from your study environment.  Do you frequently study at the kitchen table where family members or roommates are constantly coming and going and disrupting your concentration? Even if you live alone, the kitchen table may not be the right place to study if that means you’re looking at that pile of dirty dishes that needs to be done or your overwhelmed by the ever growing grocery list hanging on your refrigerator.