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8 Tips for Helping Kids Transition into High School

Every kid dreams of the day they finally make it to high school. Along with that dream comes fear and anxiety because it’s a big change. Shoot, it can drive a parent bonkers too. High school is like sending them off to a pre-adult world. It’s when you have to acknowledge that your child is finally growing up and will shortly be entering the world as an adult and that’s when your child has to realize it as well which can be a shock. Here are a few 8 Tips for Helping Kids Transition into High School.

8 Tips for Helping Kids Transition into High School

  1. Don’t Overload Them Before School Starts – Summer can be a really fun time where we have a lot planned. However, make sure you new high school student isn’t bogged down with too many things on their schedule before the first big day. Allow them to be as relaxed as possible in order to take on this new challenge.
  2. Take Them for a Walk-Through – Switching to high school often means switching to a new building and faculty. If this is the case, call the school and see when would be a good private time to take your child for a walk through the school in order to familiarize them with the new building. Allow them to ask questions of the secretary or faculty if they’re available. Try to make this private so they don’t’ feel embarrassed.
  3. Don’t Remind Them – Your child is well aware of the challenges that high school will bring, this is where most of the stress comes from. Don’t constantly remind them of it. Choose one moment to have a private talk with them about what to expect and then let it go after that. Even when they first start high school, if they’re struggling, simply help them and refrain from reminding them they need to work harder.
  4. Let Them Know Asking for Help Isn’t Weak – Many kids feel like they’re a failure if they have to ask for help. Let me them know you’re A-OK with them asking for help even if it’s not just from you. Tell them to not be afraid to ask the teacher or faculty for help if need be. That includes everything, not just schoolwork. This information would best be presented in that private talk about how hard high school is going to be.
  5. Allow Your Student to Get Involved – Encourage your student to be involved in extracurricular activities. Not only with this allows them to feel more connected and a part of something (which reduces stress and insecurities) but it also keeps them busy and out of trouble.
  6. Talk to Them About Peer Pressure – One major difference that’s always noticeable is how much the peer pressure takes a jump up in high school. Not that it isn’t there in other grades but high school seems to be the worst spot for it. In your private talk with your child, make them aware of how much peer pressure is going to rise and what that peer pressure will be for. Sex, drugs, and alcohol become a very strong topic and draw in high school, so help them realize they don’t need that junk to fit in and that they will have an even brighter future if they don’t let those things drag them down.
  7. Check Over Their Schedule – Schedules are a common thing in high school. Just like any schedule, there can be inconsistencies on them. Once you receive their schedule in the mail, be sure to read over it and make sure it’s all in line so it’s one last snag your child has to run into on their first day.
  8. Hel Them Be Prepared Early – Help your child gather school supplies, clothes, whatever they may need for their new adventure but don’t do it last minute. Allow them to be prepared and organized ahead of time so their stress and worry is reduced and covered. Give them a buffer zone of time to not have to be worrying about their new transition.

16 Comments

  • robin rue
    May 10, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    My son has one more year at the middle school next year (8th grade) then he is off to the high school. I am not too worried – he will be fine 🙂

    Reply
  • Catherine Sargent
    May 10, 2017 at 7:14 pm

    This are great tips. I think going on a walk through helps. That way they are familiar with the school grounds and have an idea of where their classes are.

    Reply
  • Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
    May 10, 2017 at 8:13 pm

    I love this so much! Transitioning to high school is such a tough thing for kids. If we can help ease our kids into that it makes it so much better for them.

    Reply
  • Pam
    May 11, 2017 at 12:37 am

    These are important tips for kids transitioning to high school. It can be a big and shocking change.

    Reply
  • Felicia
    May 11, 2017 at 1:21 am

    These are great tips. I am a high school counselor going on about 12 years. I think one more tip would be to understand that this is when they will start to pull away and also rely upon other adults as “safe people”. Understand that it is ok to have other adults in their lives (teachers) who are great supporters and have their best interest in mind. It is also great to remember that it is time to start letting go. I truly worry about half of the students I see and what will happen when they go to college. Mommy and Daddy still want to do EVERYTHING for them and that is not healthy or helpful. Trust them, let them make mistakes so they can learn.

    Reply
    • Kita
      May 13, 2017 at 5:30 am

      Great tip! I will have a hard time letting go but I know that he will always love me no matter what

      Reply
  • Diana
    May 11, 2017 at 1:32 am

    This is a great post and you just made me think of how I felt when I went! I think kids can get some anxiety from movies. They always make high school look so intimidating!

    Reply
  • Rach Ferrucci
    May 11, 2017 at 6:25 am

    All such great tips. I remember how hard high school was for my girls and it seems we all have stories. We as parents forget how stressful it can be

    Reply
  • Tracey
    May 11, 2017 at 11:41 am

    These are great tips! High school and that time in a kid’s life in general can be confusing and scary, but armed with these tips it won’t be so bad!

    Reply
  • Joyce Brewer
    May 11, 2017 at 12:24 pm

    Our son starts 2nd grade next year and I already feel like time is flying. He’s already expressed interest in attending boarding school for high school. That would be a HUGE adjustment for us!

    Reply
  • Toni | Boulder Locavore
    May 11, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    This is really helpful! Transitioning to high school is one of the hardest parts of a kid’s life. Glad they could use these tips.

    Reply
  • Seattle Travel Blogger
    May 11, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    This is a tough transition. We are having some of our nieces and nephews coming up to this level (not quite there yet). They are already involved in school sports, which, as you mentioned, further helps with the whole High School transition.

    Reply
  • Crystal
    May 11, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    It’s a big jump from junior high/middle school into high school. It’s great that parents want to help, and now they know how they can help.

    Reply
  • Jeanine
    May 11, 2017 at 10:21 pm

    Thank you! For this. My oldest is heading to high school in september and I am having such a hard time even thinking about it. This will be a huge help!

    Reply
  • Annemarie LeBlanc
    May 12, 2017 at 6:38 am

    Thank you for sharing these tips. My kids are all grown ups now and it was tough helping them transition into high school. Glad we all survived it. I have a niece that will be a freshman in high school next school year. I will share this post with my sister.

    Reply
  • Our Family World
    May 12, 2017 at 12:58 pm

    These are all great advice. I think it is important that we teach kids about peer pressure. Just let them discover things on their own, but not to give in to the influence of others. especially if they know it is wrong.

    Reply

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