A Freshman Year Parents Guide to Help Navigate Changes
Freshman year can be a challenging transition for any family. That’s why we put together this freshman year parents guide to help you navigate each new challenge with confidence.
The initial whirlwind of freshman year has settled. You completed the registration process, your daughter met her teachers, and she made it through the first round of classes. But as the dust clears, you might wonder: what comes next? How can you best support her through the remaining high school journey?
The transition from middle school to high school brings significant changes for both students and families. New schedules, increased academic demands, new friendships, and greater independence can all reshape your family's daily rhythm.
Understanding how to navigate these changes will help you build a positive relationship with your daughter and maintain a strong connection during these formative years. Utilize our freshman year parents guide to help you find success!
Freshman Year Parents Guide: What is the Recipe for Success?
Take a look at these seven tips for incoming freshmen to help you and your family enter this new season with joy.
1. Create a Structure That Works for Everyone
High school schedules look vastly different from middle school routines. Your daughter has even more teachers to work with, there are varying assignment due dates, and additional extracurricular commitments. Establishing consistent routines at home provides the stability she needs to thrive academically and emotionally.
Start with morning and evening routines that remain constant regardless of her daily schedule. This might include a set wake-up time, a designated homework period, and a reliable bedtime. These anchors can help create predictability in an otherwise dynamic environment.
Consider implementing these structural elements:
- Designated study space: Set aside a quiet area free from distractions where she can focus on assignments.
- Family calendar: Implement a shared system to track important dates, events, and deadlines.
- Weekly check-ins: Schedule regular conversations about upcoming tests, projects, and activities.
- Mental health: Go beyond making sure your child is physically well; consider sitting down with her to discuss how she’s mentally and emotionally handling changes.
2. Understand Academic Expectations
The academic leap from eighth to ninth grade can feel overwhelming. Teachers expect greater independence, critical thinking, and time management skills. Your role shifts from being a homework supervisor to being her personal academic coach. You’re now helping her develop the tools she needs to succeed independently.
Encourage her to build relationships with her teachers. High school educators appreciate students who ask thoughtful questions and seek clarification when needed. These connections often prove invaluable when she faces academic challenges or needs letters of recommendation later.
Here’s how you can help your daughter develop effective study strategies:
- Active note-taking: Move beyond copying to learning information in a way that sticks. Remind her that freshman year classes are a building block for advanced subjects, so she needs to be actively engaged in the classroom now so that it pays off later.
- Time blocking: Allocate specific time periods for different subjects. This will teach your child to manage her workload, reduce overwhelm, and build consistent study habits.
- Self-advocacy: Teach her to communicate with teachers about challenges or accommodations, like the use of therapy dogs for emotional support. Learning the skill of speaking up for yourself will help her grow as a student and in the future as an adult.
3. Navigate Social Changes
Freshman year brings new social dynamics. Your daughter may find herself questioning old friendships while forming new ones. She might feel pressure to fit in or struggle with increased social complexity. These changes are normal but can be challenging to navigate. Try the following to help:
- Maintain open communication about her social experiences.
- Listen without immediately offering solutions, and validate her feelings when friendships feel complicated.
- Help her understand that healthy relationships require mutual respect and support.
Pro Tip: Watch for signs that she might benefit from additional support. If she seems consistently isolated, anxious about school, or her academic performance declines significantly, consider reaching out to the Student Support Center.
4. Utilize St. Agnes Support Resources
St. Agnes provides comprehensive support systems designed specifically for students navigating high school challenges. Under the umbrella of our Student Support Center are the Wellness Center and the Student Success Center. Each works together to address both academic and emotional needs.
The Wellness Center offers valuable resources for freshman students:
- Freshman Seminar: A dedicated course helping students transition to high school expectations.
- Individual counseling: One-on-one support for personal challenges.
- Stress management: Techniques for handling academic pressure.
- Wellness programming: Sessions that address topics relevant to freshmen, such as how to develop friendships and good study habits.
The Student Success Center focuses on academic skill development:
- Executive functioning support: Time management and organizational strategies.
- Study skills coaching: Personalized approaches to learning.
- Academic accommodations: Support for students with learning differences.
Don't hesitate to connect with these resources early. Seeking support demonstrates wisdom – not weakness – and early intervention often prevents small challenges from becoming larger problems.
5. Support Extracurricular Exploration
High school offers numerous opportunities for your daughter to explore interests, develop new skills, and strengthen her faith. Tiger Athletics, arts programs, various clubs, and Campus Ministry provide avenues for growth beyond the classroom. These opportunities can help her discover passions, build leadership skills, and form meaningful friendships.
Encourage exploration without overwhelming her schedule. Freshman year is ideal for trying different activities to see what resonates. She might discover a love for theater, excel in a sport she's never tried, develop community in an academic club, or find a role on the Dominican Preaching Team.
Consider these factors when supporting her choices:
- Balance: Ensure activities enhance rather than overwhelm her academic focus.
- Interest-driven: Let her natural curiosities guide her selections.
- Growth opportunities: Look for activities that challenge her in positive ways.
6. Build Communication Habits
Your relationship with your daughter will change and grow throughout high school. The key is maintaining a connection while respecting her growing independence. This balance requires intentional communication and flexibility as she matures.
Create opportunities for natural conversation. Car rides, meal preparation, or evening walks often provide relaxed settings where she feels comfortable sharing. Avoid interrogation-style questioning; instead, ask open-ended questions about her experiences and feelings.
Respect your child’s need for privacy while staying engaged in her life. She may not want to share every detail about her day, but she still needs to know you're available when she wants to talk. Trust-building happens gradually through consistent, non-judgmental interactions.
7. Prepare for the Road Ahead
Freshman year sets the foundation for her entire high school experience. Pretty soon, you’ll be walking through an entirely new journey, helping your daughter transition from high school to college!
The habits, relationships, and skills she develops right now while living in your home will serve her through graduation and beyond. Your support during this crucial time helps her build confidence and resilience for future challenges.
Remember that adjustment takes time. Some students adapt quickly to high school demands, while others need several months to find their rhythm. Stay patient and supportive while maintaining appropriate expectations for her effort and growth. To help,
- Focus on progress rather than perfection.
- Celebrate improvements in organization, increased independence, or stronger study habits.
- Support incremental changes that build momentum for continued success.
Find Help Moving Forward Together at St. Agnes
The freshman year journey requires patience, flexibility, and trust from both you and your daughter. By creating supportive structures at home, utilizing school resources, and maintaining open communication, you're providing the foundation she needs to thrive.
Remember that every student's high school experience looks different. Your daughter's path may include academic successes and struggles, social challenges and growth, or unexpected discoveries about her interests and abilities. Your consistent support and the comprehensive resources at St. Agnes will help her navigate whatever opportunities arise.
The investment you make in understanding and supporting your child during freshman year pays dividends throughout her academic career. By following our freshman year parents guide, you’ll help her develop the skills, confidence, and resilience she'll need for lifelong success.
Ready to learn more about the comprehensive support available for your daughter? Talk to our staff about Student Support Services. Discover how we can partner with your family throughout the high school journey.
