MXMOM I really miss the days where I could get to class and use the boring bits to draw out a schedule of my responsibilities (where to go, when things were due). 

Now I don't get any down time during class (teacher), so I miss having that built-in time to gather my thoughts.

But seriously, y'all, if your kids are studying online, don't they have a schedule/ToDo list provided to them by their teachers and/or the online learning system?  Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams Assignments, Blackboard, Canvas, SeeSaw, etc - whatever you're using should show the student what is expected, right?

I know one of the teachers in my building is meeting with her students (video meeting) to have them all write in their planners/assignment notebooks so that they can see the expectations for the week/day, but that's because she determined they needed to build this skill...  I suppose she's going above and beyond, but it likely saves everyone time and headaches because of the fewer emails to chase work.  And this is an elementary campus...

You know what else saves teachers time and headaches?  Parents who help their kids build these skills.  Thank you so much, on behalf of your kids' teachers!

I recommend a checklist for each day.  If you want to get fancy, have one column for things that need to be worked on and a separate column for things that are due (tests, projects, things that need to be done ahead of time).  I always did the "Dues" on the left and the "Dos" on the right.

Move Light Sound Life Yes, they do have Google Classroom, and there is a "ToDo" tab on there, but it's a combination of him being so easily distractible that he misses things, and the fact that we really want him to get into the habit of writing things down (to begin with, that's ALL we're asking!) and eventually to plan when he'll do things, so everything gets done at or before the time it's due.  For now, we're just telling him to cross it off the list when it's done. Things are only going to get harder from here on out, so we want him to have the skills for when it really matters.

His brother's teachers kind of instilled that in them last year, but it's a different school, and these teachers aren't doing that.  That's understandable, they've got enough going on without that.  He still missed something (got a 0/5 on it) from yesterday, for something that was supposed to be done "during class".  I don't know what I can do about that.  If the teacher says do it during class, and he doesn't do it...  sigh.

Anyway, thanks for the tips, I may implement the due/do checklist once he gets used to at least writing everything down.

MXMOM my wife is this way, lists all over the place. I've caught her making a list for things she's already done, and she said, "I know it's done, but I just love crossing things off the list! So I have to make the list so I can cross it off..." 

Son definitely didn't inherit that tendency. 

MXMOM I just need to clarify something as I am confused.  your son is in his sophomore year of university, so about 19ish years old,  and you are making spreadsheets of his assignments??  that is a big reason your son can't "adult". you have not let him suffer the consequences of his own actions. he knows you are going to do it all for him. where is his accountability? if you are not involved in assignments directly how in the world do you know if the professor is hand holding? I am starting to wonder if it is you in university or him. I have heard of helicopter parents but this is way to much to grasp.

Coral Song Are you a parent with teenaged kids taking college classes from home?  If not, you have NO idea what a crap show this is.  I’m not going to pick apart everyone’s situation, because they are each unique. But I’ll say this:

It is a delicate balance on when and how much to intervene. There is also something called “Scaffolding,” especially for kids who have certain types of learning or attention disorders. I worked with my son to make a custom paper planner for him, based on how he feels most comfortable viewing and recording assignments. After 3 drafts it was finished and bound. No, he didn’t make good use of it.  The next term he wanted a new one, so I printed out just a handful of sheets and said if you actually use them, make more.  And he did.  Still screwed up his classes.

All I’m saying is, we’re just trying to set our kids up for success, the rest is up to them.  You will find just as many deadbeat kids who can’t “adult” who never had any adults in their lives who actually tried to help and encourage them.  Some kids are born with the tools, some aren’t, and need extra support. I’ve seen some insane helicoptering, and I would never consider myself that kind of parent and no one has ever accused me of being one. But even for them, it’s their parenting decision, and I would never call someone out on it because every student and family dynamic is different. 

MXMOM I handle Blackboard for the early college kid, my husband works the google classroom cuz I don't get it at all, and we alternate PowerSchool follow-up for each younger kid.  And everything else probably just gets lost in the shuffle.  We do our best.