Helping Your Teen Adjust to High School
The jump from middle school to high school may be as momentous as the leap from elementary school to the junior high.
The idea of once again becoming a small fish in a very big pond can be absolutely terrifying to your teen.
Therefore, your job as a parent will be to remove as much fear of the unknown as possible, and the following tips can help: • Keep the communication lines open between you and your teen.
No topic is off limits or too trivial.
Protect your child's privacy by keeping those conversations confidential unless you have permission to share them.
Make time every day to "check-in" on how your son or daughter is feeling about life in high school.
Just letting your teen know that you are interested and always available is important.
• Make sure that your teen attends student orientation.
If parents are invited, be enthusiastic and positive whether your presence is wanted or not.
Getting to meet teachers and visit classrooms will orient you about your teen's new school environment.
Your visit also lets the teachers know that you are an involved parent who is looking out for the best interests of this child.
• The details concerning transportation and acceptable after-school activities need to be worked out in such a manner that your child remains safe but also enjoys some level of independence.
How much you "loosen the reins" depends on the level of trust your teen has earned thus far.
High school offers wonderful opportunities for extra-curricular activities, but going a little slowly at first is usually a wise move.
• If you haven't already, this is the right time to discuss both time management and study habits.
High school is not that much harder than middle school for those who did well in the lower grades.
However, students are expected to behave more responsibly when it comes to taking notes, writing down assignments and turning work in on time.
Explain how grades accumulated during these next four years of high school will form a permanent record that can help or hinder future choices.
• Be part of the process of picking courses, especially if there are several options.
Bright students need to accept the challenge of difficult courses - even if they have some fears of failure.
Perhaps you are familiar with some of the teaching staff and know which teachers will bring out the best in your teen.
Helping your teen adjust to high school will be important for both of you.
Stay positive, stay involved, and your child will soon be swimming comfortably in this big new pond.
The idea of once again becoming a small fish in a very big pond can be absolutely terrifying to your teen.
Therefore, your job as a parent will be to remove as much fear of the unknown as possible, and the following tips can help: • Keep the communication lines open between you and your teen.
No topic is off limits or too trivial.
Protect your child's privacy by keeping those conversations confidential unless you have permission to share them.
Make time every day to "check-in" on how your son or daughter is feeling about life in high school.
Just letting your teen know that you are interested and always available is important.
• Make sure that your teen attends student orientation.
If parents are invited, be enthusiastic and positive whether your presence is wanted or not.
Getting to meet teachers and visit classrooms will orient you about your teen's new school environment.
Your visit also lets the teachers know that you are an involved parent who is looking out for the best interests of this child.
• The details concerning transportation and acceptable after-school activities need to be worked out in such a manner that your child remains safe but also enjoys some level of independence.
How much you "loosen the reins" depends on the level of trust your teen has earned thus far.
High school offers wonderful opportunities for extra-curricular activities, but going a little slowly at first is usually a wise move.
• If you haven't already, this is the right time to discuss both time management and study habits.
High school is not that much harder than middle school for those who did well in the lower grades.
However, students are expected to behave more responsibly when it comes to taking notes, writing down assignments and turning work in on time.
Explain how grades accumulated during these next four years of high school will form a permanent record that can help or hinder future choices.
• Be part of the process of picking courses, especially if there are several options.
Bright students need to accept the challenge of difficult courses - even if they have some fears of failure.
Perhaps you are familiar with some of the teaching staff and know which teachers will bring out the best in your teen.
Helping your teen adjust to high school will be important for both of you.
Stay positive, stay involved, and your child will soon be swimming comfortably in this big new pond.