How To Improve In School

Every parent wants their child to improve within school. They want their child to be able to meet their current targets and also know how to move forward to improve and go beyond their current target level. The question is what steps can be put in place to try and improve and then therefore move forward?

Targets

The first idea is to set targets; these can be establish by talking with their current teacher or to set your own personal targets that you feel your son/daughter needs to improve upon. Take note of progress reports from the school, what subjects are causes for concern and which subjects potential hold the strengths for higher grades to be achieved. The idea now is to try and replicate these strengths across all subjects to help to maintain progress.

Participation in learning

Just as targets are important to see where your son/daughter is in their current academic portfolio for a particular subject. It is important to realise how well they are participating in learning.

This would mean: Are the pupils behaving appropriately?

Do they create a positive ethos and encourage their friends to continue with their work?

Are they fantastic with group work and helpful when others are in need?

Another important factor is the attendance; a pupil cannot have a good participation in learning if they are not in school for their lessons.

When we have established that participation in learning is currently or improved to good or outstanding then will see an improvement in their current target grades. After school clubs

When it comes to the time in your sons/daughters life to apply for university, have you ever wondered what would make them stand out from the crowd apart from their grades? The reality is there are so many people trying to go to university that applications are increasing and you have to have a great application and not just fantastic grades (however these are the main priority). Joining after school clubs tends to be of great benefit to the pupil. If you get in the routine early making sure your child is joining after school clubs it will help in their future options as they will be likelier to join clubs later on which will help with confidence and social skills. Have a read of this fantastic descri ption of what an ideal grad student would be:

The Ideal Grad Student The ideal graduate student is gifted, eager to learn, and highly motivated. He or she can work independently and take direction, supervision, and constructive criticism without becoming upset or overly sensitive. Faculty look for students who are hard workers, want to work closely with faculty, are responsible and easy to work with, and who are a good fit to the program. The best graduate students complete the program on time, with distinction - and excel in the professional world to make graduate faculty proud. Of course, these are ideals. Most graduate students have some of these characteristics, but nearly no one will have all, so don`t fear. (Tara Kuther, Ph.D. About.com Graduate School)

Balance of rest and work

It is so important to find a balance between work and rest; you have to know how to prioritise as there are certain times in the week which will be better suited to either resting or working. Too much rest will tend to have a negative response where you would develop no motivation and will look upon any task as being too much. On the other hand too much work and you would not be doing yourself any favours (both health wise and having destroying family time) this applies to anyone of course, both parents and children. In order for us to be able to be the best that we can be we must have a balanced life of work and rest.

Tutoring

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world" - Nelson Mandela

Education is the key and as Nelson Mandela stated it can be used to change the world for a greater good. Tutoring should be looked upon as an investment; something which you should feel is worth the risk as it provides an opportunity for your son/daughter to be taught about a subject which does not involve some of the distractions that school could potentially bring. There is no harm in trying something new out; to see if it would be of any benefit and in the case of tutoring it normally tends to be positive.