High school students and their parents are preparing for the future, either higher education or the work force. Here are some tips on helping your high school student off to a great start this year.

Parentfurther.com has some great tips to get your high schoolers back to classes on the right foot.

1. Your high-school student should be thinking about her future.Will I go to college? Should I try to find a job? What should I do? Listen to her, support her, and have an open mind about the endless possibilities.

2. If your high-school student has a job, then help him manage his money and time. Help him to create a budget, and have a savings plan.

3. At this stage, most kids will be getting their driver’s license and many will be driving to school. Take time to help them learn by taking them driving. Be supportive, clear, and direct when discussing safety on the road.

4. When your high-school student gets her driver’s license, have clear rules as to when, how, and with whom she drives. Give her clear guidelines. “You will not be texting while driving,” and “Always buckle up when driving!” Make sure she knows that driving is a great responsibility and privilege.

5. Help your high-school student manage stress. Find time for the whole family to get physical and let off some steam.

6. Find time to have dinner together. During dinner, make sure everyone has a chance to share the highlights of their day and how they may do things differently tomorrow.

7. Your teen may be working hard to balance extra-curricular activities and school activities this year. Help your teen become a master time manager by standing your ground and enforcing at-home chores and family responsibilities.

8. Remind your child that although ACT and SAT results are important to post-secondary schools, achievement as a well-rounded student counts just as much. Students’ GPAs, extracurricular activities, application essays, and volunteer experiences are all important factors in demonstrating success in school on college applications.

9. At the same time, don’t forget that standardized test scores are also an integral part of the application. Whether your child is struggling or doing well in school, consider enrolling him in a test-preparation course.

10. At this age, friendships and romance become more important while cliques become less so. Set clear rules and guidelines about dating. Your teen should have a curfew that is enforced, and you should monitor your teen’s mood and behavior to ensure that dating is not affecting academic performance. It is important for parents to be viewed as approachable while still maintaining their parental authority.

 

 

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