Here it comes — how did it get here so fast?

It seems like just a couple of years ago you were watching your child take their first steps, now you’re watching them walk into high school.

High school is a tremendous time for kids in more ways than one. Here are our top tips for helping your child not only survive year 7 but thrive!

1. Organise Their Morning Routine — Ahead of Time

Most schools start at about 8 or 9 AM. If your child has been sleeping all summer, the sudden switch to getting up early can be rough. Insist they start getting up in time for school at least a couple of weeks before school starts to get their body used to it.

Plus, know how long it will take them to get to school. If they will be going on their own, make sure they know how to get there. If they need to catch a bus or train, stress that they must be there on time. Chauffeur mom or dad was happy to wait for them, but public transportation won’t wait a single second!

2. Have Them Prepared for the First Day

Take your child to school shopping early. Not only will it be easier to find the items you need and your child will have a better selection to pick from but also the stores won’t be sold out of vital items.

Remind your child to pack their school bag the night before. Scrambling around on the first day of school, trying to get their stuff together is unnecessary stress.

3. Emphasize the Importance of Regular Studying

Some students coming from primary school feel overwhelmed about what studying will be like in high school. They may have heard horror stories of treacherous assignments from older siblings or friends. Or they may just expect high school to be hard.

High school will be hard, but not impossible. Teachers do not pile on loads of homework because they are bent on seeing students fail. They legitimately want every student to succeed and make themselves available for questions and to offer help.

Encourage your child to take advantage — and set regular study goals so they will always be prepared.

4. Set Aside Time for Fun

It’s important to work hard, but high school shouldn’t be all work and no play. It’s not good for the brain to be in overdrive all the time.

Encourage your child to set aside time for fun. Perhaps they might even join an afterschool activity or start up a new hobby.

Beyond Survival

Surviving year 7 is a great goal, but we argue that kids should be thriving instead. Remember, there is no shame in reaching out if your child needs help preparing for high school exams. In fact, a personal tutor is a great way to help them thrive and build their confidence!