7 Tips to Assuring Your Teens' Successful High School Transition

Excited, anxious, proud, nervous, slightly intimidated - these are just some of the emotions that your teen is dealing with trying to prepare for their transition from middle school to high school.

Remember, they’re transitioning to an unfamiliar building, a host of new teachers, and many more students, including lots of older teens, and all of this can be intimidating to a teenager.

Teens who have challenging transitions into high school run the risk of having less motivation, and lower grades, and some don’t even complete high school due to the lack of guidance on how to successfully transition to a new atmosphere, according to the University of California’s Accord Program. Despite that, there are many things that you and your teen can do to make this transition easier and more successful.

Expect Mixed Emotions

According to research at The College of Brockport in New York, many teenagers are excited about finally being high schoolers. Teens look forward to switching classes, having more class choices, having more school activities and groups, and having the freedom to grow into who they aspire to become. However, they also harbor an inner fear. This is universal among incoming freshmen:

• Being teased by older students

• Will they meet their teacher's and their own expectations?

• Trying to find their way around the large building and getting lost

• Will high school present more of a challenge than they expected, and will they be able to handle it responsibly?

Facing new, unfamiliar territory can create a bunch of emotions for anyone, so having those mixed emotions is fine and normal. So, for your teen, these emotions can be intense, one minute they can be happy singing about starting high school, and the next minute, they can be full of anxiety and nervousness, asking you a million and one questions. Encourage your teen to talk about their feelings to help eliminate some of their fears and anxiety.

Getting Past the Anxiety of Unfamiliarity

Having mixed emotions is normal. Facing unfamiliar situations can cause a variety of emotions in anyone. For teens, these feelings can be more intense. Expect them to be excited one minute and nervous the next. Encourage them to talk and make sure you listen. There are some things you can do to help decrease some of your teen's anxiety before school even starts.

Keep in mind that high school is going to be a big change for your teen. They will have more autonomy and a broader array of courses and activities to choose from, as well as more pressure to produce good grades and to start pondering their future.

While you can’t shield your teen from all the stresses of starting high school—there are a few steps that you can take before and in preparation for your teen’s transition to make it as smooth as possible.

Teen Transition Tips

1. Schedule a meeting with the school

Prior to the start of school, during the spring or summer months, schedule a meeting with the staff to discuss any concerns that you or your teen may have.

2. Talk about class selection

Be sure to meet with the freshman guidance counselor for suggestions on the best combination of classes for your teen.

3. Explore extracurricular activities

Have a discussion with your teen about the school activities and groups that they have been considering joining.

4. Help Your Teen Sharpen Their Social Skills

Remind your teen about how important it is to follow social rules, including not interrupting when someone is speaking as well as thinking before they speak. You can help your teen at home with their social skills, and you can also enroll them in a virtual or social skills class.

5. Accompany your Teen to Tour the School Campus and to the Orientation

Consider acquiring a map of the school and bring a copy of your teen’s class schedule so that they can find their classes seamlessly once school starts.

6. Go Over the School’s Student Handbook with Your Teen

Go over the rules for student conduct with your child. If his learning or thinking differences might cause problems, talk to school staff about them before the start of school.

7. Meet with Your Teen’s Teachers

Try to set up a meeting with your teen’s teachers within the first few weeks after the start of school. Discuss your teen’s strengths and weaknesses, and what you can do to help. Getting this information early on can prevent a decline in your teen’s self-esteem, as well as their grades if you wait until after the first quarter.

What’s Next?

As you look forward to the next school year, you must continue to speak with your teen and understand where they are mentally. Remember, it's normal for teens to have feelings of being overwhelmed for the first few weeks of school.

It’s also important that you understand when it comes to your teen’s high school stress and the learning challenges that they may face to prevent any academic or self-esteem issues. Don't forget to check out our blog over here for more helpful tips and articles.