How to Help a High School Junior Succeed in School

High school typically involves a maze of academic, extracurricular and social activities that keep students busy. By the time a student reaches 11th grade, he needs to fix his sights firmly on the future to ensure that current choices will enable future goals. You have an integral role in your child̵7;s success, supporting and helping him explore his options and maintain his priorities.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer

Instructions

    • 1

      Set expectations about school and communicate them to your teenager. Don̵7;t expect perfection, but do expect your child to work hard and put his best effort toward studies. Expect attendance and appropriate conduct from your teenager.

    • 2

      Demonstrate interest in your child̵7;s school activities, studies, classes, grades and social life. Strive to connect with your teenager daily to learn about current situations. Provide positive feedback when your child shares successes. Provide encouragement and support if your child struggles.

    • 3

      Create a positive learning environment at home to help your teenager succeed. Make a quiet study area where your child has the tools she needs to work on homework and projects. Provide access to a computer for researching and working on assignments. Make yourself available to help and support your child.

    • 4

      Help your child set priorities for achievement. If your teen has a part-time job, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not place restrictions on the number of hours worked, but your teen should not work so many hours that the job interferes with school attendance or studies. If you notice school performance suffering with a part-time job, have your child cut back his hours.

    • 5

      Ask questions about your child̵7;s desires and goals for the future to learn what she wants to do after high school. While some kids might not be sure yet, many have at least some idea about what they want to do after graduation -- college, military or working, for example.

    • 6

      Check your student̵7;s course load to be sure that he̵7;s taking appropriate classes that will give him options after high school. During the junior year of high school, students should take English, math, science and social studies to ensure 4 years of English and 3 years each of math, science and social studies, advises ACT. Foreign language, arts and computer science are also important areas of study.

    • 7

      Encourage your teenager to speak with a guidance counselor to get professional advice and suggestions for classes to take to achieve post-graduation goals. Speak with the guidance counselor yourself to find out how you can help and support your child.

    • 8

      Help your child prepare for and schedule the ACT test some time during junior year, recommends ACT. Even if your child isn̵7;t absolutely sure about attending college, taking the ACT ensures that college remains an option. Many high schools offer ACT prep courses. Get recommendations from a guidance counselor for extracurricular courses or books you could purchase for your teenager to help him prepare for the ACT.

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