The transition from middle school to high school can be a tricky one. From social to academic, finding the right equilibrium can feel like a balancing act.
Northview High School Principal, Mark Pugh, has seen students struggle with this time and time again.
“Students will tend to struggle with the transition from junior high into high school.There’s a little more freedom, more class periods and more responsibility,” he said. “That’s a big change for a lot of them.”
While it may seem impossible to clear the hurdle in the moment, with the right amount of support and discipline, students can find ease. The move into high school marks a shift into greater self reliance. As teachers stop giving constant reminders, a student has to take on a bit more to be successful. On an individual level, freshmen can make their lives easier by staying organized from the beginning.
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“Writing things down, writing down your assignments, keeping a calendar, things of that nature allows them to structure their work a little bit more,” said Pugh. “It helps because they’re going to have more classes than they’re previously accustomed to.”
Building a support system Freshmen shouldn’t go through this new stage of life alone. Having a parent in the wings helps ensure a student’s success.
“As parents, we tend to want to let our kids spread their wings and let go of the proverbial back of the bicycle seat, and sometimes that can work out well for a child,” explains Pugh “but sometimes they need their parents to spot check them and make sure they have everything taken care of.”
Finding that balance between freedom and structure is key as teens navigate this new world. Having a safety net while taking on a larger workload can make all the difference in a student’s life. With the right strategies and support systems in place, students can approach high school, not with fear but, with confidence.
“It is a big change, it is a lot of responsibility and overall their first steps into a bigger world,” said Pugh.
