You will know that when your child hits those teenage years, it is a difficult time for all concerned. Showing your support and helping them work through their frustrations with themselves and the world around them can be a mountain of an obstacle. Add to this the stress of making educational choices and sitting exams that could affect the rest of their adult lives, and you have got a ticking time bomb of emotions.
However, go through it they must, and for the right choices to be made, you will need to stand by them and support them whenever you possibly can.
#1 Guiding them through their choices
It is important that when your teen is making their choices at school, you guide them rather than making the decisions for them. You taking control will not help your teen and, in fact, could cause frustration and arguments between you.
Instead, talk them through why you think certain subjects would be a good idea and take on board their interests and why they would not like to take those subjects. Just because a teen is particularly good at a subject does not mean that they will want to take it. However, if it works towards the career that they have in mind, then serious conversations may have to take place.
#2 Providing them with quiet study time
At this stage in their learning, they are going to have to knuckle down and study, even if they have been working hard before. Providing them with a quiet area to study and a specific time frame to do it will make it easier. Keep younger siblings away and playing or being entertained either in another part of the house or take them out to a local park to run off some beans. This will provide your teen time and space to concentrate.
#3 Encourage them with their college choices
You should encourage them to make the right choices with their college selections. Of course, again, don’t try to take too much control over this as you may end up with problems and being constantly reminded that your teen wanted to attend a different college.
Recommend to your teen that they make a short list of all colleges they are interested in and the courses that are offered that will lead them to their desired career. Using CampusReel’s college acceptance calculator, they (and you) will be able to understand what grades they will need to acquire in order to get a place. This will provide focus and a goal to reach, which could make all the difference to the velocity of your teen’s study time.
Final thoughts
Although it may be tempting to take the reins, for the sake of your teen’s sanity and your relationship, try to take more of a back seat and support and steer when possible. Always make sure that you know what you are talking about, and always listen to their way of thinking. Try when possible to make decisions together. This is an important time for them, and they will need you – even if they say they don’t.
No Comments