Moving up a level at school is a big change for your teen. They’ve got new teachers and classes. And more is expected from them when they step up too, especially at A-Levels. It isn’t always easy for them to work out how best to study. Even as a parent, it’s hard to know how to get them there! But there’s lots you can do now to help them become more independent in their learning so that they start off the academic year on the right foot.
Here are 5 ways you can support them now:
- Let them know that it’s OK to make mistakes.
- Share resources that help them get organised.
- Remind them of their strengths.
- Have chats about their future goals.
- Find them support (if they need it).
1. Let them know that it’s OK to make mistakes.
Teens are very often worried about making mistakes and ‘looking stupid’. They think they’ve got to get things right the first time around. It doesn’t help that in school, when a student gets an answer right straight off the bat, they’re praised for it. At home, there’s lots you can do to help change the way they see mistakes. When they see setbacks as a normal part of learning, they’ll take more chances and have a go on their own.
To start, you can share stories of your own mistakes so that they know it’s OK if they get things wrong. Tell them about the time you forgot about a deadline, or made a presentation that put your colleagues to sleep. Let them know the lessons you took from those times. Open chats like this about setbacks helps take the pressure off them.
2. Share resources that help them get organised.
There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when there are loads of helpful resources out there. First thing’s first– they can start by setting goals for the term. And if they’re not sure how to make a plan and stick to it, there are lots of study hacks over on our MyTutor Instagram account to help them work it out. From note-taking techniques to balancing study time with Pomodoro– they can learn about it all in our MyTutor’s revision handbook too. And if they’re always on TikTok– not to worry! They could be learning from our tutors who are there to guide them with study tips and even live Q&A sessions where they can ask their study questions.
Apps can also be a huge help when it comes to staying on top of their schoolwork. My Study Life can help them get organised. And Forest is a winner for working out the right balance between study and breaks.
3. Remind them of their strengths.
When they’re stepping up a level, the jump (especially from GCSE to A-Levels) can take some getting used to. And there will be bumps on the road while they work out their new routine. To help boost their confidence at this time of change, let them know what they do well. It doesn’t have to be related to school. It can be about the time they looked after their younger sibling, or spent a summer learning how to play the guitar. Hearing examples can give them the courage (and confidence) to try out new things.
4. Have chats about their future goals.
Thinking of where they want to go next can give them a real boost in motivation. Ask them about their passions and where they see themselves after school. If they’re up for it, encourage them to set goals– for the term, the year, and even five years from now. Of course they don’t have to have it all figured out, and their plans will probably change! It’s just a chance for them to get excited about the future– and even work towards something that matters to them.
5. Find them support (if they need it).
Sometimes, they just need expert help. If you’ve heard from teachers about how your child’s not the most organised, or if you’ve seen them struggling over homework, it might be time to get support early on. Our tutors, who are students at top UK universities, can help break down tricky topics and give them pointers on how best to study so that they stay on top of their schoolwork.
Being an independent learner becomes more and more important as they move up in school. Learning how to learn isn’t the easiest to work out. But it’s a skill that can be taught. And the best part is that becoming an independent learner will help your teen feel more confident in school– and beyond, so it’s well worth the effort!
If you’d like help finding an online tutor to help your teen become an independent learner, book a call with one of our Tutor Experts or call 0203 773 6024 and they’ll be happy to help.