Settling into the School Year

Oct 14, 2009

Early Years

It’s more than a month into the school year. By this time, young students should be getting over their new-school year anxiety and starting to show excitement about the classroom, their teachers, and their new friends. A large part of the early years of school is social, including group play and recess. This part of development can lay the groundwork for a child’s attitude about school. They should be getting the message that school is a safe, fun place and that learning can be fun.

On the academic side, the early years of school are about critical groundwork; children are building the foundation for future skills (counting, learning their letters, and basic reading skills). While some problems might sound alarm bells, problems at this point might just as easily resolve themselves.

Middle Years

By the middle of October, students should be well into their school routine. The back-to-school jitters should be long gone.

If students are having issues, be it not keeping up with homework, or getting easily frustrated, now is the time to seek help.

It’s still early in the school year, and by seeking help now, students can quite easily repair academic problems and get on track.

High School Years

For many high school students, heading back to school is like jumping into the deep end of the pool. There is no easing into it. The school year starts off with a big splash, often with homework and assignments from the very first day of class. By mid October, students may have already dealt with midterms and major projects and essays. There is no time to waste; the first report is on the horizon, and high school students need to keep their eyes on the prize. One bad test mark can set the tone for the rest of the year. It’s important that if highschoolers are not adjusting to the new grade, they seek help. A little extra support can help students stay organized, stay on track of their homework, and keep up with the new curriculum.

It’s important to not be shy about asking for help; the many tutoring options are there for that specific reason. Often, the simple act of asking the teacher for extra help shows a willingness to improve, which can go a long way when it comes to the report card.

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