Written by Amanda Lecaude, Organising Students

As a parent of a child in secondary school it can often be a challenge to know how to raise or discuss certain issues with your child related to their education. In my experience, it is best to involve your child in any discussion and ask them questions around what support they think they might need rather than telling them what to do. Involving them in a conversation can provide you with an opportunity to ask them more tailored questions around some of the key areas that might apply more specifically to them. Start with 1-3 key areas listed below rather than trying to go through all 10 at once.

Here are my top 10 tips for having conversations with students to set them up for a great year ahead:

1. Set goals together or ask them what their goals might be – this helps students consolidate where they are headed and what they want to achieve.  Ideally a student will have both short and long term goals they can work towards throughout the year. I usually recommend that students have both academic (eg. improving my English from a C to a B) and personal goals (eg. getting my learners permit or getting a part time job).

TIP – ask your child what they might like to achieve through their education and outside of school – start with the outside school first.

2. Make the time to get organised now – at the beginning of the new school year it's important students ensure they have all the right supplies, books and equipment they need. Work out what physical and electronic files might be needed and set them up. Ask them how any work undertaken on a device will be backed up too and whether any further equipment is needed. Being organised early will assist greatly to set them up for the busy school year ahead.

TIP – hopefully they will have, or you will have for them, already have discussed this but if not ask them if there are any other materials they need or if they need any assistance in working out the best way to be more organised. The most important point here is to encourage them to back up their work and find a solution for this eg. the cloud or a portable hard drive. Many students use Google Docs so their work may already be stored in Google Drive but it is still wise to back up on another device.

3. Set up a homework station/s– these spaces need to be well lit, have a comfortable chair, ensure that supplies are accessible and stations are free of distractions (ie remove devices not needed while studying!).

TIP – check in with them by asking if they are feeling comfortable and productive in their homework space?  The most important point is lighting. I usually recommend a task light as well as overhead lighting. Many students don’t actually realise they need a task light until they start using one.  

4. Find and use something to manage time – in order to stay organised students need some form of diary or planner to help manage their workload and other activities.  Ideally this includes a term planner to see an overall picture rather than just the current day or week ahead. Deadlines have a habit of creeping up and can create unnecessary stress if not managed effectively. Providing an overall visual can help in knowing what is due when and what is coming up soon.

TIP – this can sometimes be a little challenging in finding the right solution that works for them and may take a bit of trial and error. Have a discussion with them about what they think might work for them best ie paper, electronic and go from there.  I usually highlight for students that instead of trying to remember dates and deadlines, they use the space in their brain for remembering their school work rather than taking it up with trying to remember too many things. This can impact their stress levels and sometimes cause sleepless nights. The more distractions they can eliminate the better they will manage and sleep at night.

5. Start the year focused – students need to remember that all assessments and tasks count towards their results and therefore need to ensure they are switched on and ready to go right from the start of the year.  It's important they commit to putting in the effort as their results usually reflect the amount of effort put in.

TIP – You might be able to relate it back to a time when they committed themselves to a task or action and how that felt. Ask them what impact the effort they put into the task provided them and how it felt when that effort paid off. Effort and attitude are key to success and can be transferred across many aspects of life.

6. Complete all tasks to the best of their ability and hand in on time–Students need to ensure they understand all instructions and tasks and actually follow these.  Some students receive lower than expected marks because they thought they had a different or better way of doing something or they hand work in late resulting in deducted marks. This can be avoided if they use their time management and make sure they focus on the tasks being requested of them. 

TIP – have a discussion around how they plan to manage their homework this year – ask them what their approach will be and then ask permission to offer suggestions rather than telling them what they should be doing. If they refuse your suggestions you may like to remind them that being organised will make it easier for them and discuss other aspects of their life where they are organised and how that makes them feel.

7. It is easier to keep up rather than having to catch up– Keeping up with school work as much as possible is essential to avoid stress. This includes being on top of all their subjects, their note taking, knowing important dates etc. 
   If a student falls behind I recommend they find extra time at weekends, on public holidays or school holidays throughout the year to try and get back on top. Many students have so much going on in their life outside school it can be easy for them to procrastinate and be distracted instead of prioritising time for study.

TIP – As a parent it can be useful to check in from time to time and be aware not to schedule too many family activities when they have a lot to do for school or to help your child with time management to include social activities as well as study so they are able to feel in control.

8. Studies should come before extra-curricular activities– learning at school should be a student’s priority. Achieving balance is also vital for their health and wellbeing so they are able to focus when needed.  It is recommended that students ensure they have enough time to complete their studies and then they can fit other activities in around that. 

TIP – Ask your child how they plan to manage their work around doing these activities so they can find time for both and schedule these into their calendar. You may also like to discuss any reasons why they are not able to find any extra time and how to make some small adjustments in their day.

9. Seek help as required– many students shy away from asking for assistance if they don’t understand something. You may like to explore this with them to understand why they are not seeking help and how together you can find a solution.

TIP – encourage them to seek help from a teacher during class, by sending an email or making a time with the teacher. There may be times when your child may not feel comfortable asking a particular teacher for help. Find out which teacher at school your child trusts and suggest they speak with that teacher to explore options. It can be useful to practice also to discuss with them how they might approach a teacher with a question. 

10. Avoid distractions and procrastination– where possible students should avoid distractions that prevent them from concentrating on their studies/tasks.  Sometimes it can be a confidence issue and they may need to be encouraged to just make a start. You can prompt them to start by asking them what they need to do to achieve a goal and frame the tasks in small chunks that are more achievable.

TIP – the first point in doing something about this is knowing that your child is procrasinating in the first place. This can be a challenge for parents as often a child doesn’t know they are in fact doing this. It can help if they have a plan of what they need to do which may require some communication with the teachers or to check the online parent portal provided by your school. Getting angry with your child about not completing homework will have the opposite effect if they are struggling to be motivated or they need help. Having a calm conversation about how they are feeling and instead encouraging them to get started may help them to realise that it's not so bad afterall. Providing an incentive may also help them to get started and be more motivated. Sometimes having something they enjoy doing at the end of the list for when they finish can assist with focus.

I trust these tips for students will be useful and my best wishes to students of all ages (and you as parents) for a successful year ahead!

Amanda Lecaude is an Academic Life coach and Organising Expert who works closely with schools and students to ensure they are equipped with simple and effective organisational, time management and study skills, which are key to their success and enjoyment at school and in life. She regularly speaks and conducts workshops for students from Year 6-12 and in particular with a focus on the transition of students between primary and secondary school.

For further information or to get in touch visit www.organisingstudents.com.au