“Ahhh, finally! The school holidays are here.”  

A lot of students think that the holidays are a complete break from a hectic Term 1.  

Meanwhile, parents get busy with planning holidays and activities and making sure their child relaxes. These are all great things to be doing but don’t forget that the school holidays can also be about putting in a plan and establish purpose and direction for your child in Term 2.  

Teenagers who have a clear sense of direction and purpose become more motivated to achieve their goals, and they’re better able to manage their time and prioritise their tasks. Based on a recent study by Cambridge University, having a clear sense of purpose and direction can have a significant impact on academic success and result in a 1.5 grade difference in Maths.  

So how can you help your child rev up their engines so they can drive and navigate the upcoming term with clarity and positivity? Our education strategists share easy tips to ensure your child navigates Term 2 with more confidence.  

#1: Start the conversation.  

Your teenager will probably never admit it, but conversations related to academic plans are often filled with uncertainty and self-doubt. You can help reduce that uncertainty and point them in the right direction by starting the conversation.  

“What do you want to achieve next term?” 

Asking your child this question can help them articulate their aspirations and self-select the steps they need to take in their journey. It also helps build that sense of ownership that can help them stay motivated to move forward throughout the next term.  

#2: Set clear goals.  

High school is like going on a road trip. You can’t move forward without knowing where your destination is. So, make sure to set clear goals as early as the holiday break.  

Once you know what your child wants for the next term, you can help them set goals supported by specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) activities. What are the things they can change in their daily routines to develop the necessary study skills or mindset that can pull up their marks? Identify the small, but significant changes and incorporate them in their success plan. 

#3: Break the big milestones down.  

You don’t want to overwhelm your child with goals that shoot for the moon. Make sure to break the larger goals into manageable tasks, like ‘pit stops’ in your child’s journey. This helps reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with uncertainty and looking ahead.   

If your child wants to improve their marks in Maths by the end of Term 2, you can help them set daily targets for doing practice problems or attending certain after-school programs or sessions in Maths.  

#4: Anticipate the challenges.  

Talk about potential obstacles that your child may encounter. What can they do to overcome these hiccups?   

Brainstorm possible fixes and strategies together. Having this conversation helps them develop their problem-solving skills. This also builds their resilience in the face of challenges, which comes in handy once the big 10-week Term 2 starts.  

#5: Implement the plan, but let them take the wheel.  

Once you and your child create the plan and have all the key pieces in place, make sure to implement it with your child in the driver’s seat. Avoid micromanaging and allow them to take ownership of their goals and progress.  

You can offer guidance and support as they go through Term 2 and even introduce a coach to make sure everything is optimised as your child goes along. But the important thing here is to ensure they take the wheel and make the decision to improve and learn from their experience.  

An extra level of support 

At Kalibrate-Ed, our goal is to help you provide an extra layer of support and guidance to your child. With Term 2 weeks away, we can work together to help your child create a personalised study plan that can give them the clarity and direction they need to boost their results.

Whether it’s reigniting your child’s engine, creating a personalised roadmap or perfecting a battle plan to guide them each step of the way, our education strategies are experts in providing your child with the necessary tools, skills and techniques to achieve their goals throughout the school year.  

If you want to learn more about these tools and strategies that your child can adopt to gain higher marks or become better in investing their time, we created a mini-series to help Year 7-12 parents provide a sense of direction for their child and make the most out of their time this Term 2.  

Email us at hello@kalibrate-ed.com.au to request free access.