Students graduating from middle school and heading to high school are about to go through a major transition. Classwork becomes more difficult, they are typically juggling more activities, and on top of it, they might be going through hormone changes and just trying to fit in amongst their friends.
Being equipped with certain skills will help your child make an easier jump from one school to the next and make their learning experience smoother. These are some of the skills that students should have when entering high school.
Time Management
Time management is not just a skill that is useful in high school, but that is also useful in the real world. In high school everything becomes a little more intense. Trying to balance class, homework, after school activities, a social life, and family can be challenging for many students.
Keeping a planner is a great way to help students keep track of homework, tests, assignments, and other activities. It also helps them get used to being more independent with managing their schedule, something that is critical for their college journey.
Responsibility
High school is when a large shift of responsibility takes place. Parents become less and less involved with decisions and students are the ones who take responsibility for their grades and actions.
Although students are expected to stay on top of homework and class assignments, it is important for parents to continue to check in and make sure their child is not falling behind. Students should set goals for themselves that will help them stay on the right track.
Related: Test Preparation Checklist for High School Students
Study Habits
Developing good study habits is an essential part of succeeding in high school. Asking questions and taking notes during class to ensure understanding is important in high school as the curriculum becomes more difficult.
Your child should set aside a small amount of time each day to review notes and study to help stay on top of new information and prevent cramming for a test in the long run. Classes in high school become much more in-depth and difficult, specifically in math and science.
Organization
This is another skill that will be beneficial far past the high school years. Keeping organized can make all the difference when it comes to succeeding in high school.
Using different notebooks and binders or even just dividers for each class is an easy way to keep track of all the important information from each subject. Staying organized will save students time when they need to go back to study or complete an assignment.
To help make your child’s transition from middles school to high school as smooth as possible, do not put too much pressure on you as a parent or on your child. Millions of students go through this change each year and do so swimmingly.
The important part is setting a plan and realistic goals to help your child succeed. If you find that your child is having a hard time or struggling in certain areas, consider hiring a tutor for the problem subjects that can help them stay on track and achieve their learning goals.
