Hi there. In this education post, I would like to highlight how students can make huge improvements in their studies and even in their own lives. The contents in this post is mostly from a math perspective and based from my Mathnasium work in the private educational services industry.
Topics
- Students Can Improve
- On Student Habits
- Parental Involvement
Students Can Improve
To start I do not believe in a fixed mindset when it comes to a skill or ability. I do favour the growth mindset where improvement is possible. Improvement does not occur automatically. There has to be adjustments in the form of new habits, new routines, maybe even new friends or a new location to live.
On Student Habits
This section is based on observations from my Mathnasium work in the private educational services industry. I do notice that some students could have much better abilities in mathematics if their habits were better. There are a few students who come in their sessions late, tired or just simply do not try. Students being tired is understandable as they could have long days or did not have great sleep. The ones that come in late often could be more organized and disciplined. Those who are not trying their best could have a bad attitude towards school, homework and/or the subject.
It may seem easy to tell students that they should work harder or try more. It is also on the students to want and actually improve in school and in their subjects. I do share on anecdotal story. We had a student who just did not want to do much work. Generally, students who do not do much work is a waste of time and money for the parents who pay money for after school educational services. This student was pretty defiant until he turned it around for his grade 8 mathematics. His private school had mathematics more at the grade 9 level and started to take things more seriously. He is more driven, hard-working and disciplined now. There might have been talks with the family but this boy has done a huge turnaround.
Parental Involvement
I do think that parents are responsible for the development of their kids in terms of their education and character development. There are some parents who are not too involved with the education of their kids. Some parents get a bit too involved and have really high expectations for their kids.
Here are some ways parents can help their kids with their education:
- Provide extra resources & tools for improved learning
- Possibly being more strict to their kids on behaviour
- Extra educational sessions in the form of homeschooling or tutoring
- Educational games or flashcards
- Enroll kids into after school hobbies
- Provide financial support for their kids in college/university
