Class is In Session...🎒🍏

Happy Wednesday! We believe it’s a parent's right to worry. But we’re here to help you Worry Smarter, Not Harder. Today we’re covering tips to help your teen succeed in school.

Quick Thought From Us

Welcome to March LINK families!

As a parent, you want your teen to succeed in school and have the motivation they need to reach their goals. But how do you encourage them while also respecting their need for independence? It can be a tricky line to balance, but it’s definitely possible.

Here are three tips on how you can help your teen stay engaged with their education...

3 Tips to Help Your Teen Succeed in School - Class is in session!

Lead by Example

We all know the old saying - the best way to teach is by example. Let your teen see that you value academic performance and specifically hard work. Show (don’t tell!) that you take initiative in developing new skills of your own - otherwise known as displaying a “growth mindset”. Demonstrating your own priorities and what is important to you will more likely make it important to them as well.

Create an Environment Conducive to Learning

Is your home a safe environment where learning is encouraged? Let’s boost the number of books around (maybe build a home library!), restrict video game use and other distractions to minimize time sinks, and definitely add a cozy study corner with light colors. Talk to your teen about any concerns they have regarding their schoolwork, exams, or other educational activities, and listen carefully so that you can support them if needed.

Encourage Self-Motivation

Help your teen understand why good grades and academic success is important. Explaining the long-term benefits of pursuing education - better job opportunities, and higher salaries - could give them the motivation they need to stay on track with their studies. Emphasize that taking responsibility in the classroom will build self-esteem and carry forward into adulthood.

Helping your teen succeed in school requires patience and understanding from both sides — yours and theirs. Encourage self-motivation by leading by example and creating an environment conducive to learning at home, so that your teen has the best chance of being their best… now and in the future.

After implementing these three tips, your teen should be well on their way toward getting straight A’s with confidence!

Learning Disabilities in High School Students

Of course you want your teen to get the most out of their education… but what if something else is hindering them? Learning disabilities (LDs) can present unique challenges - but remember… you are not alone and there are resources available. Understanding how the various types of LDs affect high schoolers is the first step towards finding help.

What are Learning Disabilities?

Learning disabilities are neurological disorders that can cause difficulties with language, reading, writing, math and other cognitive skills. These issues are not caused by vision or hearing impairments, emotional disturbances or environmental influences such as poverty or lack of access to quality education. Instead, they are due to an individual’s brain structure or chemistry that affects how external information is internally processed and understood.

Types of Learning Disabilities

The most common type of learning disability seen in students is dyslexia, which affects a person’s ability to read and write accurately. Dyscalculia is another type of LD that affects math skills such as understanding numbers and performing basic calculations. Dysgraphia is a disorder that affects handwriting abilities and fine motor skills needed for writing neatly on paper or typing on a computer keyboard. Auditory processing disorder (APD) causes difficulty processing spoken language; this makes it difficult for students to follow verbal instructions given by teachers in the classroom setting.

Lastly, nonverbal learning disorders (NVLD) impair social-emotional functioning due to difficulties interpreting body language cues and facial expressions during conversations with peers or adults.

Diagnosing Learning Disabilities

If you suspect that your teen may be afflicted by one of the aforementioned disabilities, have them evaluated by a qualified professional such as a psychologist or a speech-language pathologist. This evaluation process will involve an assessment of your child’s strengths/weaknesses along with a medical and educational review to determine if any past interventions were successful at mitigating symptoms. The results from this evaluation will then be used to create an individualized plan to address your teen’s needs.

Suffice to say - knowledge is power! Being informed about different types of LDs can help parents better support their children as they navigate their academic journeys. Yes, there may even be some bumps along the way, but that’s okay. If you suspect your teen may require medical attention, seek the immediate necessary support to set them up for long-term success at home and beyond!

Learning the Landscape - Being a teen in 2023, kinda sucks

The current generation of teenagers have suffered more than any other due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the stressors of the modern digital world. Teenagers face more pressure to succeed than ever before and the combination of social distancing and social media has left teens feeling lonely, stressed, and anxious. In addition, parents are drained and burned out trying to manage the unknown ramifications of their teens' struggles in an unfamiliar digital world. Teens have always turned to their friends and parents to help them get through the hard parts of adolescence. Unfortunately, in 2023, teens have been left to rely only on themselves.

Want to discover new ways to boost your teen’s wellbeing? Sign up for a free parent coaching session with a LINK mentor expert.

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Feeling a little more in tune with your teen? Let us know what else you'd want to learn about :)

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