The job market is ever-evolving and always competitive. This is why finishing one’s college education or attaining a university degree remains one of the primary objectives of young people today. It’s also the dream of every parent to see their kids graduate.
However, even with the heavier and tougher workloads given to middle school and high school students, some remain ill-prepared for the rigors of college life. As a parent, there are a few things you can do to help in getting your student ready for college. Read on to know more.
Organizational skills, including time management, are often taken for granted, yet remain a key ingredient of success, not only in college but throughout adult life.
With all sorts of homework assignments, tests, and extracurricular activities, losing track of priorities becomes inevitable. However, by getting into the habit of planning ahead and organizing their time, your child can stay on top of everything and be able to prioritize tasks accordingly.
Similar to a home office where you can achieve focus and concentration, assign a well-lit, properly ventilated, quiet area where your child can get to grips with their schoolwork.
Studying in a coffee shop or in front of the television aren’t the best scenarios for academic tasks. Also, strike a deal with your child where electronic gadgets such as a smartphone and tablet are not allowed in the study area. Your child should only be able to access these after all schoolwork is finished.
If there are available study groups your child can join, encourage them to participate, even if just for a few hours a week. Studying with their peers usually facilitates faster learning and mastery of concepts they may struggle with. You can also ask your child to host a study session in your house, which you can help prepare for.
In school, as in life, active listening is an important skill. Being able to sift through the external and internal noise to hear, process, and understand what’s being said is an important life skill. It also enables active listeners to make relevant comments and ask the right questions. It encourages critical thinking, which is an essential part of analysis.
Encourage your child to read mindfully, really engaging with the text as they go. Active reading entails making notes along the way or immediately after the reading session. This also includes recording difficult words and concepts to be cross-checked in a dictionary and other reference materials. At the end of each reading, your child should know the key concept and must have grasped the most important points in the text.
The advice shared here is not limited to middle school or high school students. In fact, the best way to inculcate good study habits in your child is to start early on. Once your child has developed these habits and made them part of their routine, the challenges of college life won’t seem so overwhelming.
