This is one we hear from both students and their parents’. Perhaps this is a question which doesn’t have a simple, one size fits all answer. For us then it probably best to share some of the comments or situations we have been in an effort to help make decisions – rather than make them for you. It can be a difficult time, young people are starting to develop their own social groups and create their own relationships away from their family. At the same time, parents are seeing their children grow for the first time and are unsure about how to best deal with the situation. Both interests are equally as valid as are their arguments.
Consider this – It’s a Saturday. You’ve had a pretty good day of studying. Now before we get any further, lets take some time to define ‘pretty good day of studying’. Mainly aimed towards our senior students, this doesn’t mean read half a page of notes or complete one exercise of a maths book. Rather we are looking at a few hours of study in which you’ve completed a draft of an essay or complete a WHOLE chapter review of a maths text book. Maybe you’ve done some research or have your notes in order for the topic you covered in PDHPE this week. Or even you have your flash cards of definitions ready for a Business Assessment or your lines of your next Drama performance are all done. This is what a ‘pretty good day of studying’ looks like. Then you receive a text to go to the movies or get some dinner at the local restaurant or hang our at your friend’s place. Now the dramas begin. You just want a break – but your parents are worried that you’ll get distracted or loose focus.
- STUDENT: Be open, honest and clam when chatting to your parents. Explain to them what you have done and what’s left to do. This will provide them with the confidence that you are aware of your situation and you are organised.
- PARENTS: As the same for students, hear them out. Don’t jump to conclusions or presume you know what’s best for them. They are too growing into young adults who need to understand responsibility for their own actions.
We hope the above helps! If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch and chat to us about how we can help!