Good Tips for All Ages Who Are Transitioning Back to School
Consider these good tips as a way to help students of all ages ease their paths back to school and be well-prepared for an exciting year of learning and fun.
This article contains an affiliate link to a merchant who will pay the writer when visitors from this page visit and then purchase from their site.
Read the Tips on Transitioning Back to School
Early September means more than just the end of summer, the onset of cooler weather, and the emergence of fall foliage. It's the time when school reopens for millions of students nationwide. Being prepared is the key to ensuring their success in the upcoming academic year and beyond, whether in early school, senior high school, or secondary education. Parents can feel proactive and in control by taking early steps and setting a positive tone for the school year.
Helping Learners Transition Back to School
Here are some tips to help learners of all ages transition from the leisurely summer days to the upcoming busy school schedules, homework, and deadlines, making the process more manageable. By preparing early, you can take control of the transition and set a positive tone for the school year. This proactive approach not only reduces stress but also instills a sense of confidence in both you and your child.
Back-to-School Tips for Younger Learners
For those first-time jitters, as a parent, you hold the key to a smooth transition. Your role is not just important; it's crucial in setting a positive example. Help welcome your pre-school and kinder students with a walk to the door and a quick goodbye. Quick goodbyes are always best, even though they can be painful to let go of your little one. Rest assured that your little one will be well-cared for throughout the day, giving you peace of mind. Your confidence in your child's bus driver, school, and teacher will help give your child the assurance needed to make saying goodbye easier. Remember, children learn what they see. So, if you are nervous and hesitant to let go, your child will be, too.
Children in Kindergarten – 5th grade
About a week before school starts, have your children go to bed at the time they will when school begins. Set their alarm or wake them up early. It’s difficult for some kids to adjust to going to bed and getting up earlier after having an entire summer of sleeping in or staying up late. Many young children need to be on a schedule, and preparing a week or so earlier will pay off, especially if you have a night owl or late sleeper. This will help them feel prepared and ready for the new school year.
Consider buying the supplies early if you have a school supply list (many school districts post them on their website or distribute them at local retail stores). This proactive step can help children who need to be more naturally organized to start the school year on the right foot. Label everything and get the backpacks ready the night before school starts. Buy some extra supplies to keep at home if your child is one to lose or forget their pencils or markers at school. They may need some basic supplies for homework time. This early preparation will make you feel organized and your child prepared for the school year.
If you have a Kindergartener, walk to school two or three days before school begins (or drive if they take a bus or you will be driving them). This helps acquaint them with what they will be doing that first day and can work wonders for alleviating the first-day jitters. If your child is incredibly anxious, ask if you can let them visit their new classroom for five or ten minutes the day before school starts. Many principals will let the Kindergarteners come to the campus before school starts.
Middle School
For older children, returning to school is usually filled with the wonder and excitement of sharing summer stories and seeing who is in their class this year. Students in elementary through high school typically greet the new school year with anticipation of all the new things they will get: new clothes, books, backpacks, and, most importantly, new friends. While making new friends can be exciting, it can be challenging for all children to warm up to new people, especially in a new school. Your encouragement and support will go a long way in reminding them that they are likable and have many good qualities that will make others want to know them. If your shy child finds going to school the worst nightmare in the world, try to discuss this with your child's teacher and devise ways to smooth the transition back to school.
Many sixth graders will attend a new school for their middle school years. Often, the much larger campus can be intimidating. Of course, preteens may not admit they are nervous, but most parents are. A bike ride to the school sometime in August to look around may help ease the anxiety. Many middle schools conduct orientation a couple of days before school begins, but an extra trip without all of their peers and hoopla might be worthwhile.
Just as in elementary school, it is essential, if not more so in middle school, to have all the school supplies ready, especially an organizer. Some schools require students to purchase an organizer directly from the school. Visit the school websites and parent portals to see if homework and grades will be posted on the site. It’s a great way to display your commitment to student progress to your child, the school staff, and others with a vested interest throughout the year.
If your student typically struggles with the basics, such as math, science, or language arts, consider hiring a tutor for some review sessions before and during the first semester to recapture any learning possibly lost over the summer. Also, it is common in middle school for students who excel to be moved to Honors classes sometime during the year. Being in an accelerated class is a good way to prepare a student for Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school, which count as college credit.
High School
Test scores matter as college acceptances and scholarship awards become increasingly competitive. Find out the location and when the PSAT and SAT exams are scheduled. If your student is not a good test taker, consider enrolling them in a test prep class. If they are unhappy with their score, they can take it more than once, so plan and register early.
Stay tuned in to your student’s school and social schedule. High school has tremendous freedom, and even the most academically gifted students can be distracted by the latest electronics, social media, and everything associated with the teenage years. Establish a curfew for school nights and limit the time spent on electronics, online, at a part-time job, or in sports, especially if time management and study skills are not your child’s forte.
If your student is college-bound, start doing your research and be sure to attend the college nights that many high schools sponsor. Know what is expected on college applications. It is now a more complex process than it was for earlier generations. Test scores, a formal essay, volunteer hours, and class selection in high school are all essential factors in getting into college. Please take advantage of the many companies that exist today solely to assist you and your students in selecting the right college for them.
Adult Learners
Secondary degrees can benefit those pursuing entry into and advancement in careers. However, they are often fraught with challenges that should not be taken lightly. Studies done correctly typically consume valuable time and usually involve reorganizing one’s schedule. With many busy lifestyles already occupied with family and career priorities, additional education deadlines can stress strained schedules without a plan.
Before signing up for a course, some critical issues must be considered.
Carefully evaluate your course options.
Decide carefully what you want or need to do. A ten-week certification class in artificial intelligence or cryptocurrency may be appealing. Still, taking three or four courses, even online, requires thorough consideration to ensure that the value expected is worth the investment, that the subject matter is of genuine interest, and that the outcome will help you achieve your objectives. Why do you want to do it? Is it for work, pleasure, or some other reason?
Be realistic about your decision to go Back to School.
There is no point in taking on an engineering degree if you have always hated math. Look at the course requirements for success and examine yourself to answer these questions.
- Will you be up to the challenge?
- Do you have the lifestyle structure to complete the course successfully?
- What other courses better match your abilities and interests?
Look at the limitations of your time.
For those with families and other outside commitments, this is essential. Consider how often you must attend in person, the outside work, the homework, and other projects involved. How much time will they require? Will you have the time to meet expectations?
Think of the possible effect on your family and those closest to you.
The family and those we spend our lives with need reminders that we haven't forgotten them. The study is about them as well, as they are affected. They will need the same attention as usual while you focus on your studies.
Look after your health.
Stress can be a big problem for many people, mainly as they have been out of education for a long time. Students worry about assignments and projects and fret about their ability to meet obligations. Further, the classes often lead to much longer days. So, it is vital to keep health among the higher priorities, with exercise, nutritious food, enough sleep, and all those other recommendations health professionals give us.
There is a great sense of accomplishment for those with busy lifestyles who know they can accomplish self-improvement initiatives. Always be learning, even as an adult.
How to Be Part of the Transition Back to School
Your support is crucial now to guide them to succeed with confidence. Regardless of the student's age and grade, stay involved and show support. Volunteering on any level, whether it be reading stories to your elementary-aged child’s second-grade class, helping in the computer lab in middle school, or being on a committee for peer counseling in high school, it is essential to know what is happening at the place your children spend a large part of their week. Many Parent Teacher Associations meet on weekday evenings so that more parents can attend. Some activities need volunteers that do not involve daytime hours, such as calling parents in the evening for a fundraiser or helping with a weekend car wash at high school.
Wrapping Up Transitioning Back to School
Remember, it's entirely normal to have excitement, fears, and anxieties about the first days or months of school. Understanding that these feelings are part of the process can help alleviate some anxieties as a parent and an adult returning to school. Consider these tips to help your students ease the path back to school and be well-prepared for a year of learning and fun.
Be the first to know about new posts. Please follow InscribedLife on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Quora, Tumblr, and YouTube.