Academic challenges are something every student will face at some point in their educational career. For some, moving schools can trigger a variety of complex emotions and struggles. For others, a new subject or class might be challenging. In this blog, we will cover tips and tricks for navigating these academic challenges.
Moving To A New School
Leaving an old school means more than adjusting to new coursework. It means making new friends, finding community, and navigating complex feelings. Parents are often very concerned about their children settling in and making new friends, but younger children may need some help.
Create Community
Talk to the guidance counselor to see if they can recommend some extracurriculars your child might enjoy. In addition to being fun, extracurriculars are a fantastic way for your child to meet and make friends with like-minded individuals. Your guidance counselor may also be able to introduce your child to other transfer students or other children who may be looking for new friends. This takes some of the pressure out of correctly navigating the already-formed social relationships.
Your child needs a strong sense of community to thrive, and so do you! The guidance counselor might be able to introduce you to other parents whose children have transferred in or parents who have experience transferring. They may be able to offer tips, tricks, or hold space for your concerns. Talking with parents who have experienced a similar change can be grounding and help you acclimate to the new environment. Hold social gatherings with these families so that your child can have the opportunity to interact with their children without the pressure of a one-on-one playdate. Getting to know these families can make the transition to a new school more comfortable for you and your child.
Continue Routines
Humans are creatures of habit and routine. If there are particular routines that your child has, make an effort to continue them. This might look like a specific winding down process before bed, a morning routine before school, or an after-school transitional process. Even if the whole routine cannot be completed, doing what you can yields powerful results. Continuing routines can help your child maintain a sense of control over their lives and encourage positive performance at school.
Help Process Feelings
Younger children especially often have a hard time processing their emotions. Without the skills to understand their feelings, youth may express their feelings by throwing tantrums when it is time to leave for school, or breaking down before starting their homework. Underneath these tantrums is a complex web of stress and anxiety. They may be feeling stress due to losing their friend group, missing extracurriculars, or having to adjust to new teaching methods. The most impactful reason for their stress may be the reason they switched schools, especially if it was sudden or traumatic.
Help your child navigate their feelings and embrace change by sitting down with them. Validate their feelings by recognizing that they are angry, sad, or scared. Let them know that you are there for them and listen patiently. Try saying “I understand why you feel that way.” “That makes a lot of sense.” “Even though this situation is challenging, I’m right here with you.” By validating your kid’s emotions, you are showing them that it’s ok to feel upset, teaching them to navigate their feelings, and getting them on track for a successful school year.
Adjusting to New Subjects and Facing Challenging Coursework
Learning new subjects can be an extremely exciting part of school. With options like anatomy, band, psychology, and languages, the options can feel limitless! However, these new courses can bring unique academic challenges. Your child may feel anxious after struggling to adjust to new content and coursework.
Hands-On Approach
After progressing through elementary school, your child may feel comfortable with learning subjects like math and science, but uncomfortable with new subjects such as art or Spanish. Try a hands-on approach by helping your kid break down their assignments into smaller chunks. If the assignment is to write about ordering at a restaurant, first help them identify what words might be useful.
Whenever possible, try to make a connection between the lesson and real life. It’s a lot more meaningful for your child to practice ordering their actual favorite food than the easiest food to pronounce. Encourage them to ask questions. Recognizing what you don’t know is a sign of wisdom. Advise your kid to make a note of the concepts they don’t understand so they can ask their teacher. Taking a hands-on approach can help your child feel understood and supported when they are struggling.
Accommodations
If your child is struggling despite their effort, you may want to consider reaching out to their guidance counselor for information and testing on learning disabilities. Learning disabilities are very common. Around 20% of K-9 students have learning disabilities according to the Learning Disabilities Association of America. With a professional diagnosis, your child may become eligible for accommodations through their school. These accommodations such as an IEP or 504 plan can include preferential seating, testing in a quiet space, alternative test formats, and extra time. Armed with these tools, your child may be better equipped to succeed when faced with academic challenges.
Tutoring
Sometimes, students need a little extra personalized help. Tutoring can be a great option if your child is struggling with challenging concepts. While often expensive, some companies offer discounted or free tutoring. At E.R.E., we offer free personalized tutoring to middle and high school students. Due to our high-quality instruction, you can expect to see dramatic improvements within four months. Unlike other tutoring companies, E.R.E. teaches soft skills such as emotional self-control, self-resilience, and leadership. There’s no better time to help your child succeed in school. Sign up now! Consider donating if you’d like to help make this meaningful work possible.
In Conclusion
It is normal for your child to become frustrated or upset at some point in their academic career. As a parent, the desire to support your child can be overwhelming. By following the tips and tricks in this blog, you are now equipped to help your child navigate numerous academic challenges such as moving to a new school, adjusting to new subjects, and facing academic challenges.