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| Sylvan Learning of Woodridge Newsletter |
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The Academic Journey To Success
Tips And Strategies That Work For School Transitions |
 For some students the start of a new school year is also the transition year-time to go from an elementary to middle school, or from middle to high school. These transition years can be exciting and full of promise, but they also bring academic, social and psychological changes.
Here are some common questions that students going to a new middle or high school might worry about: · Will I be able to make friends? · I'll have so many new classes. How will I ever find them in that big building? · There are so many buses! How will I know which is mine? · What if my friends want me to do things I don't want to do? Will they still like me? · Will I have all the supplies and materials I need? · The schedule changes every day. How can I remember where I'm supposed to be? · I hear the halls are crowded and I don't know anyone. It's scary. · Will I be safe? What about bullies and mean kids? · I'm going to have a lot of teachers, one for each subject. Will I like all of them? Will they like me? · Everyone seems to be in a hurry. Is there any free time? · My parents got involved in everything in my old school. I don't know whether I want them to do that here. Research and common sense tell us that the first year in a new school is critical. Students face a number of challenges at the beginning of a new school year, including getting assimilated, making friends, setting goals, selecting courses, choosing mentors, learning new skills and knowledge, and building confidence.
What can you do to prepare your kids for this major change?
Every student and family is unique, of course, but here are a few tips and strategies that make transitioning to new middle or high schools an exciting and successful process in your child's academic journey.
Get to know the school. Attend as many of the end-of-summer activities your school offers. There's probably an open house - go to it with your child, and invite one or two of her friends to go with you. Safety in numbers. Explore the school's website ahead of time. If the school doesn't have an open house, advocate for one.
Roam around. Go to the school and explore the campus. Have your child's new schedule with you. Go to the classrooms, the restrooms, the cafeteria, the gym, the main office, the nurse's office, the guidance suite. Repeat if necessary. Note how long it takes to get from classroom to classroom.
Know the rules. Read the Student Handbook with your child before school starts. Talk about responsibility.
Be prepared. Think ahead for challenges that could arise. Buy a combination lock before school starts. Let your child practice with it often. Practice makes perfect and swift.
Be encouraging. Being upbeat and positive is incredibly important. Encourage your child to join clubs, teams, and activities that he'd be interested in. This is the best way to make friends, discover new interests and talents, put down roots, build confidence, and create a feeling of belonging.
Make friends. Talk about friendships, how to make friends, how to be a friend, how friendships change and evolve over time. Share stories about your school friendships, especially the rare and satisfying ones that have stood the test of time.
Know the teachers. Make every effort to meet and keep in periodic touch with teachers - in person, through notes, email, web pages on the school's website. Know what their expectations are, when report cards are coming out, the due dates of major assignments, and the testing schedule. Help your student keep on track by doing your essential parental job of friendly, persistent nagging when necessary.
Organize. Nagging is a tactic of last resort. Help your child stay ahead by setting goals with him, planning for important dates and events, establishing routines for his homework and studying, and letting him know you're aware of his responsibilities.
Get a study buddy. Arrange for your child to study with friends who can challenge her, compete with her, and celebrate with her. As soon as you detect an academic problem that goes beyond the study buddy, get help. The earlier the better. Get a tutor, a helpful teacher before or after school, or an Honor Society student who needs community service credit. Just get help.
Keep that confidence up. Talk with your child daily about school to let him know you're interested in his day and that education is important to you. Show him how to recognize his successes, learn from his mistakes, and look forward to meeting new challenges.
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Effective Study Skills
Laying The Foundation For A Successful School Year |
 Every child learns at his or her own pace, with different aptitudes and learning styles. There is nothing more frustrating than spending a day "studying" only to find that you've accomplished very little. To be effective during the time you study requires focused study habits. And building a study-skills foundation is an ongoing pursuit.
The most common problems that keep students from studying effectively are in a few key areas, including knowing how to approach information, comprehension, test-taking methods and personal learning styles. Parents can help children overcome obstacles with a few critical steps.
Partnership for Success
Very often parents will keep telling their children to improve their grades without pinpointing a child's area for improvement. Communicate with your child and identify the changes that need to be made to bring the grades up and improve learning. Let him take responsibility for his learning success. Very often a child may not be aware of the skills that need work. As a parent you can partner with your child in identifying areas that need advancement and then work together to improve upon them.
Time and Place are Critical
The setting and time for studying can affect a child's productivity. Some children are more alert in the morning, others in the evening. One child may work well at a desk with quiet music in the background while another functions better spread out across the floor in complete silence. Parents can assist in recognizing when a student works best and create a schedule around that sweet spot.
The Ultimate Objective
When it's time to hit the books, parents can lead their children to critically break down the information or assignment before it breaks down the students' self-esteem. Discuss why she is reading a particular chapter or working on a specific assignment? What kind of questions will be answered? What kind of test might be given about this material? Take the time to explain the purpose of going through this process of learning and how this study method will help her succeed.
Celebrate Achievements
Don't wait until your child brings home an A to celebrate. Show him or her that you are confident in his or her abilities, and reward the little things. Reinforce not just excellence but also improvements and progress. These are all signs of a strong study skills foundation, one step at a time.
One on One
Individual instruction can help develop strong study skills, particularly if your child needs increased attention. Maintain regular communication with your child's teacher because most teachers will know whether your child has an underlying problem with study habits.
Helping your child develop effective study skills is critical to academic success-not just in school and college but to also prepare your child for the challenges of the real world! |
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| | | Valid only at Sylvan Learning of Woodridge. Valid through September3rd 2011. Not valid with any other offer. |
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