Setting Up For Success: Helping Teens Thrive Academically

Those years between childhood and adulthood can be a bit awkward. From braces and acne to mood swings and growth spurts, we’ve all been there. As if navigating all these new physical changes isn’t challenging enough, throw balancing sports, clubs, socializing, and schoolwork on top of that!

As adults that have successfully crossed the finish line of adolescence, it’s up to us to guide and nurture youth stuck between being a child and an adult. Having strong connections to adults is essential to helping teens survive and thrive during adolescence. Here I will share some strategies you can use with your teen (or a teen you mentor) to help set them up for academic success.

Become a School Volunteer

Have you ever considered joining your school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or any other school government organization? I know we all have a lot on our plates and the thought of having one more meeting to attend might make you cringe, but hear me out; when parents become involved in school organizations it can positively influence your teens GPA and educational success after high school.

Several studies have presented data that show when parents are involved in their teens education as a school volunteer, both grades and educational accomplishments after high school graduation are impacted positively.

Still unsure about becoming a volunteer? It can be a little intimidating but just remember, getting involved with your school board or PTA doesn’t require any special skills or specific educational requirements. All it takes is a little time and commitment to your school’s success.

Be a Homework Helper

Calculus, Physics, and Advanced Biology, oh my! As your teen progresses through junior high and high school, the amount of homework they bring home may become greater and progressively more challenging. Even if you’re not an expert in any of these advanced subjects, don’t let it intimidate you! Your guidance is still valued during homework time.

Providing structure, a quiet study space, and even helping review work for grammar errors can impact your teen's academic success. Studies have shown that when students receive homework support from their parents, they are able to complete more homework due to improved time management skills – an important skill used throughout life!

So don’t sweat it if you’re not a Professor of English Literature when your teen comes home with that six-page book report assignment. By simply offering a structured homework time, making sure the book report gets done, and offering to help review it for any grammatical errors, you are setting your teen up for developing great time management skills and improved grades.

Set the Bar High

Does your teen know what your expectations are when it comes to their academics? The expectations you have for you teen, communicating the importance of their education, and encouraging their academic and career goals are considered processes of academic socialization.

It turns out that academic socialization can have the greatest influence on academic success in teens. These processes help teens develop independence, cognitive abilities, and motivation; all of which are extremely important skills for success in school as well as later in life when individuals reach adulthood.

There is definitely value with homework help and volunteering at school, but not only is academic socialization the simplest way to help your teen achieve academic success, studies have also shown that this strong communication may be the most effective strategy for setting your teen up for success.

References

Benner, A.D., Boyle, A.E., & Sadler, S. (2016) Parental involvement and adolescents’ educational success: The roles of prior achievement and socioeconomic status. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45, 1053-1064.

Gabor, E.J. Top 10 Homework Tips [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/homework.html

Hill, N.E., & Tyson, D.F. (2009). Parental involvement in middle school: A meta-analytic assessment of the strategies that promote achievement. Developmental Psychology, 45(3), 740-763.

Nunez, J.C., Suarez, N., Rosario, P., Vallejo, G., Valle, A., & Epstein, J.L. (2015). Relationship between perceived parental involvement in homework, student homework behaviors, and academic achievement: Differences among elementary, junior high, and high school students. Metacognition Learning, 10, 375-406.

Wang, M., & Sheikh-Khalil, S. (2014). Does parental involvement matter for student achievement and mental health in high school? Child Development, 85(2), 610-325.