"Maximising Student Success in High School through Strong Executive Functioning Skills"
High school is an exciting time full of new experiences and opportunities for growth, but it is also a challenging period, as students must navigate increasingly complex academic and social environments. To succeed in high school and beyond, it is essential to have strong executive functioning skills
Executive functioning is essentially the set of mental processes that help us manage our lives. It includes things like being able to plan ahead, stay organised, and complete tasks in a timely manner. For high school students, having strong executive functioning skills is crucial for academic success, as well as for setting themselves up for success in their future careers.
5 Top Tips for Parents to Boost Student Success
Set goals and break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, if your student has a big project due at the end of the month, help them break it down into smaller tasks that they can work on each week. This will make the project feel less overwhelming and more achievable.
Establish a consistent routine to help improve executive functioning. This includes things like having designated study times, setting regular meal times, and having a consistent bedtime. By establishing a routine, students will have a better sense of structure and be better able to plan their time effectively.
Organisational skills are also key to improving executive functioning. This can include things like using a planner or calendar to keep track of assignments and deadlines, using checklists to stay on top of tasks, and keeping their study area neat and tidy. Encouraging your student to develop these skills can help them stay organised and reduce the amount of mental energy they need to expend on planning and organisation.
Mindfulness can be a helpful way to improve executive functioning. Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. By practicing mindfulness, students can reduce stress and anxiety, and improve their ability to focus on tasks.
Taking breaks is another important way to improve executive functioning. Studies have shown that taking short breaks throughout the day can actually improve productivity, as it helps to refresh the brain and reduce burnout. Encourage your student to take a short break every hour or so to stretch, move around, or do something enjoyable.
It's important for students to seek help when needed. If they're feeling overwhelmed or struggling with a task, they should reach out to a teacher, parent, or executive coach for guidance and support. Sometimes, simply talking through a problem with someone else can help to clarify things and make it feel more manageable.
Improving executive functioning is all about finding ways to work smarter, not harder. By incorporating some of these tips and tricks into their daily routines, high school students can develop the skills they need to succeed academically and beyond.
