Preparing for the Transition from Middle School to High School: Tutoring Can Help!

Beginning high school can be exciting, scary, overwhelming, and wonderful all at the same time. And that's just for us parents! Our kids often feel all of these emotions and more as they grapple with the changes that high school presents. For many, the incredible amount of newfound freedom can be both emboldening and also extremely overwhelming. They can choose their own classes (to an extent), their clubs and after school activities, and maybe even new friends. In most cases, the building gets bigger, the classes larger, and the sheer logistics are amped up a notch...or 5! So how can you help your child thrive and not just survive their first year of high school? Here are some helpful tips from middle and high school educators and administrators that may help:  

• Establish routines. Not only does this help your child establish a sense of control over what may seem out of control at times, but this also ensures his/her success by setting aside dedicated time for homework and other classroom assignments. A well-defined after school routine helps your child stay organized and on top of the increased workload high school can bring.
• Monitor progress. This means not waiting until the first progress report or report card to find out how your child is doing. Most schools offer an online portal for parents to log into to check on everything from classroom participation and grades, to homework completion, and even attendance. Give yourself an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and prevent any issues before they start.
• Stay involved. Stay involved in as much as you can. Just because your child is getting older and you want to (naturally!) give them more decision-making responsibility, it doesn't mean you have to sit on the sidelines entirely. Participate in parent-involvement activities and events. Get to know your child's friends (old and new) and know who is on the other end of their phone and who he/she is talking with online. Help your child find a new activity or club to help him/her stay connected. As much as our moody, hormonal high schoolers will try to push us away, it's important to never be so far away that they don't feel like they can ask for help when they really need it!
• Encourage independent thinking. This doesn't necessarily mean we let them take over all decisions related to their educational experience, but rather that we encourage them to think through solutions on their own before stepping to give them the answer. This can be something as simple as finding a way to communicate with a difficult teacher, to making decisions about which activities to participate in and how best to manage their time. This is so critical for their success, inside the classroom and out. And at this age, the timing is perfect to show our kids how to go through the process of finding a solution so that they know what to do when faced with future challenges. They want to exercise independence and be seen and treated as young adults and this is your chance to do just that.
• Watch out for "red flags." If your child's behavior changes, in any way, make sure you discuss it with them. If they begin acting out, complaining of physical pains or illness, or you notice major changes in their mood or group of friends, open up dialogue sooner rather than later about what might be going on. Also, look out for major drops in grades, decreased participation in school, or other signs that your child may be withdrawing. It is very common for students transitioning into high school to feel lonely or isolated. So it's important to recognize warning signs early, and to communicate with your child about issues as soon as you recognize them.
• Know where to go for help. If your child is struggling (academically, emotionally, or physically) it's important to know where you can go for help. For academic issues, a tutor (such as the professional educators provided by Club Z!) can make all the difference in the world! Whether it's just extra help with Algebra or Chemistry, or a total study and organizational skills program, students can benefit greatly from the one-on-one support a skilled tutor provides. For emotional and behavioral struggles, reach out to your school's guidance counselor for input and information on support groups and other outlets for both you and your child. Counselors often get bogged down in scheduling and other mundane tasks required of their job, but they are trained professionals with a wealth of resources at their disposal. Don't be afraid to ask for help!

  The common thread in all of these suggestions is to keep your lines of communication open with your child, now more so than ever. This is such an important junction in their lives, where they are struggling to exercise independence but also need to be able to hold their parents hands occasionally too (sometimes even literally speaking). So make sure to communicate with them frequently, even if they seem like they'd rather do ANYTHING but talk with you. Make sure they know you're there for them and support them, and encourage them to have fun. After all, high school only happens once in a lifetime!