Overcoming Procrastination: A Guide for Parents of Middle and High School Students Imagine this: It’s Sunday evening, and you’re sitting at the kitchen table with your middle schooler, staring at a pile of unfinished homework. Your high school student is
How to Choose an ADHD Tutor: A Comprehensive Guide for Middle & High School Parents
How to Choose an ADHD Tutor: A Comprehensive Guide for Middle & High School Parents Middle and high school can be daunting for any student, but for those with ADHD, the challenges can feel insurmountable. The bustling hallways, complex assignments,
7 Tips to Boost Your Child’s Grades and GPA Before Year-End
7 Tips to Boost Your Child’s Grades and GPA Before Year-End Are you seeing end-of-year school flyers mixed in with summer program options for your kids? It’s enough to make you think school is just about over. While the end
Why Your Child’s Grades Swing From As to Cs
Why Your Child’s Grades Swing From As to Cs: Unraveling the Mystery of Test Grades While you might be tempted to fall into a spiral of concern, understanding why this is happening, and learning strategies to support your student, can
The Top 11 Worst Ways to Study: Strategies That Won’t Get You an A
The Top 11 Worst Ways to Study: Strategies That Won’t Get You an A After working with over 8,000 kids over the last fourteen years, I can attest to the fact that these non-study strategies are guaranteed to reduce academic
How to Tell If Your Teen Needs Math Help
How to Tell Your Teen Needs Math Help While a failing grade might be the most obvious clue, high schoolers struggling with math often exhibit subtler signs that can go unnoticed. Identifying these hidden challenges early on is crucial for
Why I Got My Son A Tutor, A Personal Story
Why I Got My Son a Tutor When my younger son started 7th grade, homework time was battle time. Even if I had removed his phone from his grasp, he took forever to get homework done. Every night it was
College Admissions And The Pivotal Role of GPA
The Pivotal Role of GPA in College Admissions Remember the frantic scramble for last-minute permission slips and color-coded folders the night before your child’s big school presentation? Now imagine that same level of stress, multiplied by a hundred, as your
The Benefits of Executive Function Deficits
The Benefits of Executive Function Deficits Parenting middle and high school students is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, especially when your child faces executive function deficits, often seen in cases of ADHD or learning disabilities. I outlined this
How the Report Card Can Up Your Child’s Game
How the Report Card Can Up Your Child’s Game It’s the academic year half-way mark. You most likely got your child’s most recent report card. Did you get a sinking feeling when you saw it? Report cards can bring about
Motivating Your Unmotivated Child
Motivating Your Unmotivated Child Motivating your unmotivated child can sometimes be a losing battle. I know from personal experience. When teens lose motivation, over-parenting is sometimes the cause. Concerned parents who try to oversee their teens with nagging, nudging, lecturing,
Sending Your Child Back to College with Executive Function Deficits?
Sending Your Child Back to College with Executive Function Deficits? Pass Along These Tips and Tricks Navigating college life with executive function deficits and other learning disabilities often means encountering a unique set of academic, organizational, and social hurdles. The
The Magic Hack for ADD/ADHD Students That Aces Exams
The Magic Hack for ADD/ADHD Students That Aces Exams Cramming for exams and endless note-taking got you feeling like a hamster on a wheel? Students with ADD/ADHD, stop spinning your wheels – there’s a secret weapon hidden in your arsenal:
How to Conquer Exam Anxiety
How to Conquer Exam Anxiety with Test Prep & Stress Reduction Strategies Exam season: a time of frenzied cramming, sleepless nights, and enough adrenaline to power a rocket. But amidst the chaos, a silent enemy is lurking – exam anxiety.
Reset, Reboot, and Recharge Your Child’s Study Skills in 2024
Ten Ways to Reset, Reboot, and Recharge Your Child’s Study Skills in 2024 1. Embrace a Fresh Start As 2024 unfolds, seize this opportunity to reshape your child’s study habits. In today’s digitally-saturated world, it’s essential to cultivate effective study
Midterm Study Hacks for Students with ADD/ADHD
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are common challenges faced by many high school students, especially when it comes to preparing for midterms – or any test for that matter. Standard study tips often fall short
Want to do Poorly on Midterms? Do this
Want to do Poorly on Midterms? Do this You know it’s coming. Midterms are around the corner. But you are busy with other things. An English paper is due. A science project to complete. A hockey away game. “No worries,”
7 Proven Strategies to Help Your Child Finish 2023 Strong
7 Proven Strategies to Help Your Child Finish 2023 Strong The months of November and December are often filled with holiday-related activities, making it easy to get distracted from schoolwork. However, it’s important to remember that the school year is
How Pilgrims Used Executive Function to Plan Their Feast
How Pilgrims Used Executive Functions to Plan Their Feast Right now, you might be thinking about how the Pilgrims were able to put together such amazing and detailed feasts without all the technology we have today, especially when it seems
7 Signs Your Child May Need Tutoring
7 Signs Your Child May Need Tutoring Every child learns at their own pace, but there could be times when they might need a little extra help to understand challenging concepts or to reinforce learning. If you are a concerned
Halloween: How to Use Study Skills to Get The Most Candy
Halloween. How to Use Study Skills to Get The Most Candy Hey there students! With Halloween around the corner, it’s time to gear up for a night of fun, frights, and, most importantly, a bounty of candy! It’s that thrilling
How to Help Your Child Overcome their Multitasking Madness
How to Help Your Child Overcome their Multitasking Madness The Myth of Multitasking During Homework It’s a common sight: your child is sitting at their desk, textbook open, but they’re also texting friends, occasionally checking social media, and maybe even
What to Do When Your Child Won’t Listen to You
What to Do When Your Child Won’t Listen to Your Studying Suggestions Being a parent is a rewarding but often challenging journey, especially when it comes to guiding your child academically. One of the most frustrating scenarios parents may face
5 Roadblocks That Undermine Academic Achievement — and How to Help
5 Roadblocks That Undermine Academic Achievement — and How to Help If you’re a parent of a middle or high school student, you are undoubtedly aware of the academic challenges your child faces. Adolescence is a defining period filled with
Coping with Stress and Anxiety in your ADD/ADHD Student, part 3
Coping with Stress and Anxiety in Your Middle and High School ADD/ADHD Student, part 3 Are you facing the intricate challenges associated with stress and anxiety in a middle or high school student diagnosed with ADD/ADHD? The adolescent years are
Developing Daily Study Habits in your ADD/ADHD Student, part 2
Developing Daily Study Habits in your ADD/ADHD Student, part 2 Some Science-Backed Ideas for Creating Daily Study Habits in Your Child If you’re a parent of a child with ADD/ADHD, you’re no stranger to the daily challenges that can come
Mastering your ADD/ADHD Student’s Procrastination, part 1
Mastering Your ADD/ADHD Student’s Procrastination, part 1 This is a 3-part series on how you can support your ADD/ADHD child. The Challenge that Comes with ADD/ADHD Let’s face it: Parenting a child with ADD/ADHD can be a roller coaster ride
How An ADD/ADHD Diagnosis Made My Kids Better and Happier Students
How An ADD/ADHD Diagnosis Made My Kids Better and Happier Students Part 1. Not Working to Potential When my older son, Robert, was going into the 9th grade, we noticed that he had a hard time getting his work done
8 Ways to Start the School Year on the Wrong Foot
Steering Clear of Pitfalls: How to Avoid Common Mistakes and Kickstart a Successful Academic Year The thrill of the back-to-school season can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. From the fluttery anticipation of a fresh academic year to the tangible anxiety
Countdown to School: What You Need to Know
Countdown to School: The Study Skills and Executive Functions Your Student Will Need The start of a new academic year brings with it a blend of exhilaration, anticipation, and perhaps a dash of anxiety. As parents and students gear up
Transition to Middle School: The Important of Executive Functions
Middle school represents a significant milestone in a child’s academic journey, marking a shift from the familiar, nurtured elementary school environment to a more challenging and autonomous learning space. The significance of executive functions becomes evident at this stage. These
6 Ways to Start the School Year on the Right Foot
Top Tips for Starting The New School Year Right: A Student’s Guide The first few weeks of school are crucial. Not only are you getting to know your schedule, and meeting old and new friends, but you’re also establishing precedents
How To Build Strong Study Habits In High School, Even If Your Student Has ADD/ADHD
Encouraging Strong Study Habits in High School: Strategies for Success As your child steps into high school, the stakes get higher. Every grade point matters, shaping their GPA, reflecting on their college transcripts, and laying the foundation for their future
Making the Transition to College: Characteristics and Skills That Are Critical to Success, part 2
Success in College: Enhancing Problem-Solving, Metacognition, Self-Determination & Time Management Skills As students embark on their college journey, they will encounter a multitude of challenges and responsibilities beyond academics that will determine their college success. In last week’s article, guest
Making the Transition to College: Characteristics and Skills That Are Critical to Success, part 1
Preparing for College: Beyond Academics – Nurturing Self-Awareness, Advocacy, Motivation, Resilience, and Regulation Skills Kids go to college to continue their education. Sure, that’s true. But the reality of going to college involves so much more than academics. As students
Summer Math Learning Loss: What You Can Do About It
Even though summer has started, it’s important for parents to recognize the potential math gaps that their children may have developed. These gaps can hinder their progress in the coming academic year. According to a recent article in The New
How to Get Your Child to Read Over the Summer: Librarians Reveal Their Insights
According to a recent article in The New York Times, the average student is a third of a year behind in reading as a result of the pandemic. Luckily, summer is the perfect time to try to reverse this trend.
A Guide to Surviving College for Students with ADD/ADHD and Executive Function Challenges: Part 3. The Importance of Note-Taking
College students often find themselves grappling with numerous distractions and challenges including managing their time effectively and staying focused amidst distractions, information overload, a new environment, and the pressure to succeed. This can be particularly daunting for college students with
Anxiety and Finals: 6 Ways Parents Can Reduce Their Student’s Anxiety (Part 2)
Final exams are coming! These benchmarks are one of the last hurdles before summer vacations for many students. The breadth and depth of these exams can be daunting and stressful. As a parent, it is hard to balance the urge
Anxiety and Finals: 5 Ways Parents Unintentionally Increase Their Student’s Anxiety (Part 1)
With the end of the school year upon us, we recognize that anxiety is a predictable and expected part of a student’s daily life. Deadlines are looming, examinations are approaching, and the light at the end of the tunnel is
7 Ways to Get a Jump on Preparing for Finals
Plan your work, and work your plan, is the best way to get through the stressful period of end-of-year finals. Even though it seems like weeks away, it’s a good idea to start thinking about one’s approach to tackling final
A Guide to Surviving College for Students with ADD/ADHD: Part 2. How to Develop Executive Functions
To be a successful college student, certain skills and tools must be in place to support the academic journey. As it turns out, these skills are not only essential for learning at higher levels but also necessary for careers and
8 Lessons Yogi Berra Could Have Taught on Study Skills
It’s baseball season! Former American Major League Baseball manager, Yogi Berra, was one of the most often quoted celebrities around the world. He was considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Despite only having an eighth-grade education,
Is There A Link Between Motivation and Executive Functions?
A lack of motivation can be directly linked to poor executive functions. Sustaining focus and maintaining goals, and getting tasks done – as in assignments, is dependent on the strength of one’s executive function. Executive functions are a set of
5 Ways to Annoy Your Teacher When Asking for Help
Engaged students aren’t afraid to ask for help from teachers when they need it. And most teachers are happy to help a nice, earnest kid who’s struggling. But there are right ways and wrong ways to ask for that kind
Chronic Procrastination, and What to Do About It
Procrastination is a common problem that affects many children whether they have ADD/ADHD, executive function deficits, or not. Many kids struggle to start and finish tasks and have difficulty managing their time effectively. This often leads to stress, lost motivation,
A Guide to Surviving College for Students with ADD/ADHD and Executive Function Challenges: Part 1. Planning
As you guide your senior student through their final college decisions, you might have some thoughts on the next phase of their educational careers, and how they will fare in their new environment. For students with ADD/ADHD, and some executive
How to Study in School: A Guide for March Madness Fans
By Noah Pederson, 12th Grade Did you know that NCAA March Madness players are not only star athletes, but they are also students? Yes, it’s true. NCAA basketball players apply all the same skills on the courts as students apply
5 Ways to Remember What You Learn in 2023 and Beyond
Recalling new material is one of the biggest challenges students have. Every subject requires a different mindset. What’s more, with the constant bombardment and sheer volume of information being thrown at us constantly from a myriad of sources, it’s no
What’s the Connection Between Study Skills and Self-Esteem?
Study skills and self-esteem are two important factors that play a significant role in determining a student’s academic success. These two elements are closely related, as each one can affect the other in various ways. Study skills refer to the