Transitioning to High School: 10 Tips to Help Your Teen
As parents and educators, we know beginning high school is an important step. We also recognize that many students feel nervous about the transition, even if they don’t show it. At Northside Christian Academy, we’ve discovered a good start is important in making sure each student has the best possible education. Share these tips with your new high schooler, and help him or her prepare for success.
1. Get organized.
Orientation is a great time to figure out class schedules, locker combinations, and any other logistical information before the year starts. Your student should also get in the habit of using a planner to keep track of important information.
2. Get involved.
Joining a club or team will help your student become part of a community. Northside Christian Academy (NCA) has excellent extracurricular programs that build community while keeping the focus on our students’ spiritual relationships.
3. Make new friends (and keep the old).
Encourage your teen to keep in touch with old friends, but to also branch out and meet new people. Clubs and teams are a great way to make friends, as are shared classes and lunch hours.
4. Talk to teachers.
If you and your teen both talk with your teen’s teachers, they’ll be better able to point out opportunities for your student’s skills and needs. NCA’s average class size is 16, so students are easily able to build professional and meaningful relationships with their teachers.
5. Talk to parents.
This can be a difficult thing for high schoolers, but the better the communication between you and your teen, the more support you can give for successes as well as problems or stressors.
6. Treat others with respect.
We all know this is part of being a good citizen and servant of God, but we don’t always put it in practice in times of transition or stress. Remind your student to treat everyone with dignity.
7. Start each day ready to learn.
Help your student with a routine of preparing for school the night before. He or she will feel ready for the day as soon as it starts, and won’t be calling you to bring a forgotten math book minutes before class.
8. Learn outside the classroom.
In all parts of your student’s education—academic, extracurricular, and spiritual—he or she should be learning even after the lesson is over. Try asking specific questions about their studies that will require thoughtful answers.
9. Be true to yourself.
To avoid peer pressure, your teen should embrace her or his own gifts and use them to serve God.
10. Have fun.
Starting high school can be scary, but it should be exciting too. Your student is embarking on a path that will lead to growth as a citizen, scholar, and follower of God.
If you and your teen are looking for a Christian high school in Charlotte, N.C., Northside Christian Academy has an excellent reputation in academics, extracurriculars, and our students’ spiritual growth. Request enrollment information or send us an email to schedule a tour.