The lives of high school and college students could not be further apart thus necessitating some adjustment to their new environment.
Not only are they advancing from high school to college with all the differences between the two scholastic endeavors, but they are also entering into a completely new chapter of their lives where they are growing up and maturing into the adults they will become for the rest of their lives. As students make the adjustments to the new environment on their own, parents, too, need to be careful with that transition and have to make the necessary adjustments to the new life of their young adults, especially for those who are studying from home during the current COVID-19 pandemic. This article will provide some tips for parents whose children are stuck studying at home during the pandemic, emphasizing the crucial role of parents in supporting their children’s education and well-being during this time.
Be understanding
The most important thing for a parent to help their kids during college is to be understanding. A college student is supposed to be physically attending their classes in a classroom and interacting with their fellow classmates and professors firsthand, not staying at home with their parents taking their classes online. As a parent, you should understand that your kid may be under a lot of stress that the pandemic has brought about; note that it may be the first time for your child to be taking their classes online and this can require some getting used to. The social distancing guidelines that are being imposed as well as not being able to move around as freely as they used to only adds to that stress. It is also important for parents to be understanding of the changes their child is going through as a student. The difference between being a college student and a high school student is enormous; the studying technique of a college student is not the same as that of a high school student; assignments are a lot different and so is homework. Also, be understanding of the fact that the new style of studying online is new to both students and professors alike; the world has found itself in this predicament, and we all have to cope and adapt to online learning.
Have talks with them about the pandemic
Give reassurances to your children about the pandemic. Explain that this is a naturally occurring event that happens in the world every now and again but most importantly, explain to them why it is important to stick to social distancing guidelines and practice hand-washing frequently. Let them know that it is ok for them to be feeling stressed and upset as these are not normal circumstances. Tell them that this isn’t permanent and it is just a matter of time before a vaccination is developed and things will go back to normal shortly. Talk to them about different ways of dealing with stress caused by these circumstances and tell them that you will always be there to listen to their problems and answer any questions they may have.
Support from afar
Providing support to your child’s needs during college can mean the difference between being a regular student and an A student. Every parent should be supportive of their children during college, especially if they are doing their studies online. However, it is crucial to balance parental involvement with giving your child the distance they need. Do not constantly hover over their head asking if they have finished their assignments, as this can do more harm than good. Instead, open a line of communication with your child and talk to them about what is bothering them. Ask them what they would like you, as a parent, to do to provide help. Always be ready to give a listening ear, hear your child out, and try to provide the moral support they need.
Help them establish a healthy routine for learning from home
Establishing a routine can be one of the great things to help students with their scholastic activities when studying from home. A well-structured routine lets your child know what they have to prepare for and study, and it helps you understand how much time should be spent on each activity. Help them put down a daily schedule of activities that need to be completed, including designated study times; this will help them get more done in a shorter period of time while lowering their stress levels. Teach them to be flexible with their routine, allowing them to shuffle tasks around depending on their importance.
Don’t pressure them with family activities
The workload your child has to deal with can be enormous with all the assignments and homework that are due on a daily or weekly basis. This can inflict a lot of pressure on them on top of the stress they are dealing with being new to this environment. As a parent, be open to letting them do their thing and follow their own schedule. You should be understanding of their study schedules and try to give your child all the time they need on their own schedule; do not pressure them to engage in family activities while they are squeezed in time for assignments and plan family time together in a way that does not affect their work schedule.
Limit household distractions
Distractions come in many shapes and forms and they have a knack for sneaking up on you when you are most focused. The key to killing distractions is having a strong will to disconnect from all the online time-wasters and other addictive gadgets. Being under a lot of stress can also have a negative impact on your focus and can open the door to distractions. As a parent, you should support your child and provide them with a distraction-free environment to be able to completely focus on the tasks at hand. Help them stick to their schedule and provide the moral support they need. Advise younger siblings to keep quiet during times of studying and create a home environment that’s suitable for college students to be able to get tasks done without any distractions.
Seek professional advice
If you think all the stress that’s being caused by the pandemic and the new environment the children are trying to adapt to are more than you can personally handle on your own, do not hesitate to seek professional advice. Get in touch with the school counselor at the school, they can provide all the help your children need during this period. Family counselors and teachers also can be of great help to your children. Talk to different parents about whatever issue your children may be having and discuss possible solutions together; they may have dealt with a similar problem and have figured out how to approach it.
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