Changing school can be a significant decision in your child’s life. The best way to prepare for a change is to get better at dealing with the change. There can be various reasons for getting your child transferred to a different school. Parents should involve their child in the process of choosing and transferring school, and also help them see the pros and cons of the decision.
Here are some tips for making change easier
1. Keep the workspace similar
Children take time to get familiar with a change. To make them feel comfortable, follow the same after school routine the child used to follow before school transfer like doing homework, completing assignments and playing. This gives a sense of normalcy and helps children feel confident to tackle changed situations.
2. Give your child control
Give your child more opportunities to make decisions during the transfer process. The transition phase can be a challenging phase for them that makes a child feel powerless and gives them freedom to control some of the things like having them choose the backpack, shoes and lunchboxes. Also plan a tour of the campus so that the child gets an idea about the campus, teachers and classes.
3. Let them reunite with old friends and teachers
Let your child maintain connection with their old school friends and teachers via phone calls and emails. Recalling past memories will make them feel relaxed and also eliminate the feeling of loneliness during this changing phase.
4. Create a good image
When the child hears the news about transfer, he/she may start framing awful images about the new school out of anxiety. Talk to them and help them know about various facilities and environment provided by the new school and convert their anxiety into excitement.
Mistakes to avoid while transferring school
1. Avoid asking questions
The process of transferring school can be quite overwhelming and it is important to ask the question that arises in your mind regarding the old school or new one. This makes you get clarity about various things and reduces the chances of making mistakes.
2. Not acknowledge the transition
Attending a new school brings with it new challenges and new experience. Make your child realise that the classes, teachers and friends will not be the same. Acknowledging the transition and putting things in structure will help them gain confidence from the beginning. Things like scheduling time for studying, using campus resources and taking a smaller course load are some examples.
3. Not visiting an advisor
An academic advisor is a special kind of counselor who can simplify the process of transferring school for you. They support you to make informed and effective decisions. The chances of making errors are reduced when you seek help from an advisor because they are professionals with knowledge and experience in the field of academics. Taking notes and writing down advice and tips from your advisors gives you the chance to fully absorb the information while visiting the campus of the new school.