Eight Ways Parents Can Support High School Students During Finals
Our recommendations for eight helpful ways you can support your student in preparing for final exams, papers, and projects.
- Know the Schedule—Make sure your student knows the schedule and where to find it. Suggest that they add dates to their digital calendars or paper planners. (Need a calendar? Download and use this Finals Study Planner from SOS4Students.)
- Use Extended Time—If they qualify, students should confirm with all teachers where extended time will be needed.
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Pro tip: printing study guides can be extra helpful for prioritizing and marking up.
Assist with Organization—Offer to help your student sort essential hardcopies of notes, study guides, or worksheets.
- Offer Support—Instead of insisting on helping or making a study plan, ask students “What can I do to help?” and encourage them with “You’ve got this!”
- Suggest Tutoring—Remind students to get tutoring help or their questions answered at school. Encourage them to identify courses/content areas where they need extra support.
- Address Late Work—Encourage early communication with teachers about late or missing assignments. This needs to be handled by the student. Suggest students make a list of tests to retake and assignments that can be turned in for credit.
- Recommend an Exam Prep Schedule—Remind your student to create a prep schedule that breaks up studying into easier-to-manage “chunks” for all final exams, classes, and tasks. (Need a calendar? Download and use this Finals Study Planner from SOS4Students.)
- Suggest Breaks—Recommend your student takes breaks, gets outdoors, and moves! Ask for a list of favorite foods/drinks and offer to pick these up.
Got Questions?
SOS4Students is here to support students and families. Contact SOS4Students at (510) 531-4767 or to discuss ways we can help.