Everyone Start with an “A”

Everyone Start with an “A”

Summer is drawing to a close for many families with the beginning of a new school year only a few of weeks away.

Before school is back in session, take a moment with your child to reflect on their previous academic performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

For example, did your child lose their homework on a regular basis? Or, did your child wait until the last minute to study for a test? Take these types of past behaviors in stock and turn them into opportunities.

We have a saying here at the End Result, “Everyone starts with an ‘A’”. In traditional classrooms, students have to keep their grade of 100% by not losing points with each assignment, quiz, and test.

Starting off on the right foot can pay big dividends during the rest of the school year.

Keep reading the End Result’s 5 tips to help your student keep their “A”:

1- Remind your student that the “A” is for them to lose. Researchers expect students who start off with an “A” to be more motivated to avoid losing their high grade than those students who begin the year with a nothing to lose (grade-wise) mentality.

2-Provide the tools they need to stay organized from day one. Being organized is the ultimate key to success. Listed below are must-have school supplies and secret insider tips from the End Result’s Study Skills program:


· Get a 5-subject binder, if you meet with all your teachers every day or five 1-subject binders if you have a block schedule.

· Get binder dividers with pockets to maximize your organization for each subject.

· Get 5 single subject spiral notebooks. A special tip from the End Result’s Study Skills program: Reserve pages 1-4 in each notebook, so you can create a table of contents for your notes (easy referencing come finals) and to maintain a running list of all assignments (write the due date in parenthesis).

· Get 6 different color highlighters. A secret technique from the End Result’s Study Skills program: assign a specific color to each of the following categories of information that you write in your notes and flashcards (i.e. green: titles and topics, blue: definitions, yellow: commentary info, pink: examples, purple: dates and events, orange: names and authors).

· Get a weekly planner, if your school does not provide one. Phone Apps for homework or calendars can be used to set up reminders, but our brains are wired to remember what we put down in longhand.

3-Encourage your child to self-advocate. By middle school, your child should be learning how to ask teachers for help or clarification. Before submitting an important assignment, they should check-in with their teacher. They can ask, “Am I on track?”, “If not, do you have any suggestions?” Your child should also make sure to discuss any missed math problems with their teacher the next day they meet.

4-Help your child stay positive and solutions focused. Your child may come home and state that they having a difficult time in a particular class. For example, your child may say “the teacher hands out worksheets, but doesn’t teach us how to do the work”. Your child is beginning to have negative thoughts and feelings about this class. In this scenario, your student may believe they are going to fail this class. However, you can redirect their energy on finding a solution. Reassure them that they can ask their teacher for help, you can meet with their guidance counselor, and ultimately, you can consider hiring a tutor.

5-Don’t wait for the 5-week progress report, be proactive. If your child struggled last school year, it is highly recommended that you provide academic support at the beginning of the new school year. Oftentimes, parents will seek help after receiving their child’s progress report reflecting poor grades. At that point in time, your child will have to work much harder to catch up, while simultaneously keeping up with the current lessons being taught in class.

The End Result’s Homework Club is a great way to support your child from the first day of school. Membership is purchased on a monthly basis for as long, or as little, as your child needs to learn study skills, organizational skills, time management, and needs homework monitoring.