The shift from middle school to high school can be a big change for students. They have more teachers, are in class with different peers, and the coursework is more challenging and demanding. They may also have to balance more responsibilities if they’re part of a team or other extracurricular activity. Getting your rising freshman ready and helping them adjust can take time.
- Attend orientations and back-to-school nights
Your child is headed off to a new building, so having the opportunity to take a tour and become familiar with the layout can boost their confidence. If they have their schedule already, they can find where some of their classes will be, otherwise they can get to know some major landmarks such as the main office, guidance office, health room, cafeteria, gym, and auditorium.
Meeting their teachers ahead of time can be reassuring as well, so try to attend any events leading up to the start of school. Your child can also talk to their friends to see if anyone they know will be in their classes.
- Give them more independence
Students have more accountability in high school. There is less handholding from teachers and more expectation for students to take initiative, advocate for themselves, and get their work done with fewer reminders. Start letting your child take the lead and manage more of their own responsibilities. Let them experience natural consequences (while maintaining their safety) and use them as learning opportunities.
Avoid the temptation to do things for them or solve their problems; you can be a guide, but allow them to figure things out on their own. As they start classes, encourage them to talk to their teachers if they are struggling in class or need clarification. Set aside time and a quiet place for them to do their homework and study, but reduce the number of reminders and check-ins so they can be more independent in staying on task and getting their work done on time.
- Encourage them to volunteer
High school is larger than middle school. Your child will be exposed to a lot of new people and personalities. Volunteering can help them feel more comfortable in new situations, working with different people, and being asked to do a variety of tasks. They can practice their communication, teamwork, organization, problem solving, and time management skills in a real-world setting while being responsible for their work.
- Keep open lines of communication
Talk regularly with your child about their thoughts regarding the upcoming school year. What are they excited about? What makes them nervous? Having these types of conversations can ease some of their worry about starting high school and help them come up with strategies for overcoming challenges.
If they are concerned about certain classes, sign them up for tutoring to reinforce key skills and make sure they have a strong foundation. They can keep their math, language arts, science, history, or other skills sharp even though it’s summer break so making the transition back to school will be easier and they can quickly recall concepts. They can build their study, organizational, and executive functioning skills as well.
Keep your child in a learning mindset and brush up their skills by reserving a spot at Crafting Scholars today! We work with you to create a plan that fits your child’s needs and goals. Contact us to get started and support your child’s transition into a new school year.