Seven Tips For Parents To Help Your Teen Succeed In High School

As a high school student, I know how hard it is to transition to all the challenges of high school. 

Take a deep breath. Don't worry that adolescence is almost like a rerun in early childhood. Physical and intellectual changes happen at an alarming rate, new dangers are always appearing, and the need for sleep and food is endless. High school requires three years because this is the minimum time required for children and parents to transition from the last stages of childhood to the first stage of adulthood. They will have enough time, and so will you.

Read on some tips for parents of High Schoolers

Help them to be Independent

For teenagers, starting high school is related to gaining more independence and taking more responsibilities. It may be difficult to "let go of your child" in some way, but trust me, this is one of the best things for your child's high school career. Giving independence helps them more comfortable in making their own decisions and they learn how to control their life. The freedom to have your own decision and control over your life is an amazing learning experience that will help you prepare for the future.

Keep your child busy

Insist on getting your freshmen to participate in at least one organized activity like sports, drawing and swimming. The benefits are many: children can explore their interests and show their talents; it improves their social life and allows them to reach adults who can become influential mentors. Children involved in the activities will be happier. And keep an open mind about what the child might like.

Talk about hard things

If you haven't talked about hard things, drugs, birth control, sex, consent... Now is the time to start. If you have been talking, please double the tuning. Your teenager is now in a world where these problems arise. 

Every family has its own characteristics and values, and every high school student should understand them. Over time, they may discard some of what we say and ignore our warnings or rules. They may choose to rebel against us, but they should never be unaware of the rules and values ​​that our family embraces.

Help them to Cultivate time management skills 

High school is the time when time itself is at a premium. As students learn to juggle a higher load of homework, extracurricular activities, and a part-time job in some cases, the strain of managing those precious hours can become very stressful. Solve the problem head-on by instilling time management skills in your child before high school starts. Show him how to organize his daily schedule to make sure he has time for everything he needs to do. Teach him to keep a personal calendar to help him remember upcoming events. Help structure the room, particularly the study centre, so supplies are easily found and precious time is not wasted searching for pencils, shoes, or evasive tasks.

Some children still haven't developed good study habits by the time they reach high school, so teaching your child to study can be part of the time management lesson. While some students work best alone in a quiet space, others are able to concentrate better at the kitchen table with Mom or Dad nearby. If your child seems to be struggling with a particular class, talk to the teacher about the best way to study that subject. Teachers often have a wealth of constructive recommendations to help students be successful.

Stay involved with your teen

While many parents believe that high school is the time to step back and let the child take the reins, that doesn't mean parents should get out of the picture entirely. In fact, high school students may need their parents' presence more than ever during these years, even if it is just to offer a firm presence in the midst of an ever-changing phase of life. Parents can participate without becoming a constant element of the child's activities, keeping abreast of developments within the school, meeting the child's friends, and keeping track of the child's activities.

Make your home a comfortable place for your high school student to hang out with friends, so that the gang will choose your home more often. Be a welcoming host to the high school crowd, keep snacks in the pantry and movies near the TV. Keep an eye on what kids are doing without hovering over them during their social time. Be available to lend a hand if needed, or volunteer to be the chauffeur for activities so you know where your child is going, with whom, and when.

Help your teen find his or her passion. 

Many (if not most) high schools offer a surprisingly wide range of courses, including off-campus options, such as dual enrollment at local universities or courses in county-level vocational and technical education programs. High school is a great opportunity for children to try different courses and explore career opportunities.

Create a balance between school and friends.

This is one of the best things my parents did for me when I was in high school. There are many ways to establish this balance. For me, my parents used to set a fixed schedule to arrange study time and hang out with friends. Although it was difficult to adjust at the beginning, in retrospect, I absolutely believe that it is beneficial to my school career because it gave me a lot of study time.