Don’t Panic! Tips for Parents Whose Children Are Worrying About Their A-Level Choices
The A-Levels are vital for most teenagers – especially if they want to go to university. With so many subjects available, choosing and committing to three or four isn’t easy, and plenty of teens struggle with their choices.
If your child is worrying about their A-Level choices, don’t panic because there are plenty of things you can do to help them feel better.
In this blog post, we’ll outline some tips for parents whose children are feeling anxious about their future. Follow these steps, and your child will be on the road to success.
Remind Your Teen That A-Levels Are Harder Than GCSEs
Your child may feel stressed because they think A-Levels will be much harder than their GCSEs. It’s important to remind them that this is normal – most students think this way.
A-Levels are more challenging than GCSEs, but that doesn’t mean your child won’t be able to handle them. They’ve made it through GCSEs successfully, and with some extra effort, they’ll do great in their A-Levels.
As A-Levels are the next step in further education and vital for getting into the best universities, they require more commitment – but with the proper support, learners can ace their exams and go to university.
The Wrong Choice?
There’s always a chance that your child may have picked the wrong A-Levels. If they’re struggling with their coursework or finding the material difficult, their chosen subjects may not be the best fit for them.
Unfortunately, this happens all too often, with The Guardian publishing an article stating that one in five students have fewer degree choices due to poor A-Level subject selections.
If this is the case with your child, you can do a few things to help. The first is to talk to their teachers – they’ll be able to give you an idea of how your child is progressing and whether they think another subject would be more suitable.
Most A-Level students start their studies with four AS level subjects and then drop one when taking the A-Levels. If your child hates the course they’re on, it’s worth speaking to them about potentially dropping it and focusing on the three other AS Levels.
Another option is to consider switching courses – which is best if your child is struggling with more than one subject.
It isn’t ideal because it means starting the year again from scratch, but if it means your child is happier and doing better work, then it’s better in the long run.
Encourage Them To Talk To Their Teachers
If your teen is struggling to make sense of their course material, the best thing they can do is talk to their teachers. Teachers are there to help, and they want their students to succeed.
You could also encourage your child to make an appointment with their teacher during lunch or after school and go over anything they’re struggling with to get the help they need.
It’s also worth reminding your child that their teachers are there for guidance – not just when it comes to coursework but also when it comes to future plans.
If your teen is unsure about what they want to do after A-Levels, their teachers will be able to offer advice and point them in the right direction.
Consider Investing In A Tutor
Some students find their A-Levels tough because they lack confidence. In these cases, it may be worth considering investing in a tutor. An A-Level tutor can help them understand the material better and give them the one-on-one attention they need to succeed.
Specialist tutors also have extensive subject knowledge and can isolate areas a student struggles with most. Also, they can remove any mental blocks surrounding a topic.
For example, psychology is a popular A-Level, but it requires some mathematical knowledge, which some students might find difficult. With support from a tutor, learners can navigate the more challenging areas of their subjects and grow confidence to succeed.
Choosing The Right Tutoring Service For Your Child
There are many different places you can go to find a tutor, but it’s vital that you pick the right one for your child.
Some students prefer online tutoring, as it allows them to choose when and where they have their lessons. It also means they can learn in a way that suits them, such as through video lessons or interactive exercises.
Other students prefer face-to-face tutoring, as it allows them to build relationships with their tutor and get immediate feedback.
Fleet Tutors offers a combination of online and face-to-face tutoring for A-Level students. Our highly qualified team of tutors are experts in identifying problem areas and working with students to help them conquer educational challenges and succeed.
Problems With Handling The Workload
A-Levels are demanding, and keeping on top of everything is no easy feat. If your child is struggling to cope with the workload, you can do a few things to help.
Make sure they’re keeping on top of their reading
It’s easy for students to fall behind because A-Level texts can be dense to get through. By encouraging them to read a little bit each day, they won’t have too much ground to catch up on.
Encourage breaks and relaxation
Studying all the time isn’t healthy for anyone, so make sure your child takes breaks and relaxes. Working all the time will inevitably lead to burnout and decreased motivation.
Finding the perfect balance ensures any learner can enjoy studying without feeling like it’s an obligation.
Prioritise Effective Time Management
Time management is a crucial skill, and it’s one that will serve anyone well in all aspects of their life. Show your child how to break their work into manageable chunks and schedule time for other activities.
Remind Your Child That Challenges Are Good Things
A-Levels are meant to be challenging, but it’s important to remind your child that challenges are good things. They’re an opportunity to grow and learn, and with some commitment, your child will come out of this period more resilient and capable than before.
When it comes to university degrees, even subjects a learner is naturally good at can seem complicated. However, hard work and dedication go a long way, and there’s a big difference between needing to work hard on an A-Level subject or genuinely struggling with it.
Sometimes, extra challenges are a good thing, so if you feel your child is unmotivated, remind them that university will be an even bigger challenge.
Encourage Them To Talk To You About How They’re Feeling
Make sure your child knows they can come to you with any concerns or worries, so they can keep you updated on how they’re doing academically and emotionally.
Some teenagers don’t like to admit that they’re struggling, even though it’s a natural thing that most learners go through. If you spot any problems early on, you can address them before they become too big.
Final Thoughts
A-Levels are a challenging time for students, but with the proper support from their parents, they can overcome any obstacle. If you’re worried about your child, talk to them about how they’re feeling and offer help and guidance when needed.
Fleet Tutors is here to help if your child struggles with A-Levels. Our team of expert tutors offer online and face-to-face lessons so that we can cater to every learner’s needs. Get in touch today to find out more.