Laying the foundation for school success

A great academic year begins with a solid plan. Here’s expert advice to start your student on the right foot

 

 

 

It’s a new school year and educational consultant Joaquin Pineda suggests some good work habits to kick it off.

“If you start by being organized, set realistic goals and use a calendar to keep track of assignments, it will help those habits stick throughout the year,” says Pineda, who is also the owner of Tutor Doctor in Ottawa.

 

 

Create tasks and note deadlines

Pineda recommends that once a student receives an assignment, to break it down into workable smaller chunks and keep track of when the work (or each part) is due.

“The last thing you want to be doing is scrambling to catch up at the last minute,” says Pineda, adding that students need consistency – sporadic bursts of doing work won’t provide the muscle memory needed for learning.

 

Ask for help

Pineda also recommends asking for help as needed. “If you are feeling challenged with a subject, get help. Most teachers are very approachable.”

 

Consider a tutor

What can parents do? If they notice their child struggling to keep up, hiring a tutor may help. Staff match the student with the tutor that can help them the most for their needs. As Tutor Doctor tutors go to the student, “parents can help us by providing a quiet place with no distractions,” says Pineda. “Then we really get to focus on studying and helping with any learning issues and making sure we have good habits and goals in place to succeed.”

According to Azadeh Zare, success sometimes starts from inside the students themselves.

“Children perform best when they begin the school year feeling capable rather than anxious,” says Zare, instructor and director of the Kumon Math and Reading Centre of Orleans.

“Summer often brings changes in routine, and it’s common for students to lose some of the momentum they built during the school year.” (This is commonly referred to as the summer slide.)

“Kumon helps bridge that gap, so children return to school with their skills fresh, their study habits intact and the confidence to take on new challenges, says Zare, emphasizing that strong reading and math skills are essential from the very beginning of the school year. “Parents often think of reading and math as separate subjects,” she says. “In reality, they’re the foundation for almost everything children do in school. Reading helps students understand instructions, think critically and learn across all subjects, while strong math skills build logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. When children have solid fundamentals, they can focus on learning new concepts instead of struggling with basic skills.”

 

 

Create a work routine your kids can follow

She also believes that establishing a consistent study routine at home plays a significant role in a child’s success.

“Children thrive on routine,” says Zare. “It doesn’t matter whether they study at their own desks or at the kitchen table. What matters is having a regular place and time to study each day. That consistency helps children develop discipline, responsibility and lifelong learning habits.”

 

Consider taking a step back

When it comes to supporting learning at home, Zare encourages parents to be coaches rather than teachers. “It’s natural for parents to want to jump in and help,” she says. “But sometimes the greatest gift we can give children is the opportunity to think independently. Instead of providing the answer, encourage them to try again or approach the problem in a different way. Those moments of productive struggle are where real learning happens.” Over time, Zare says this approach helps children build genuine confidence.

“Academic success is important, but helping children become confident, independent learners is a skill that will benefit them for the rest of their lives,” says Zare. Some signs of confidence include willingness to try new things and letting go of the fear of making mistakes.

 

Tips for higher ed

 

 

For some teens and young adults, the transition from high school to college or university can be a challenge, says Ahmed Elbadri, a student success specialist at Algonquin College.

“Many of the students I see feel overwhelmed,” says Elbadri. “They have to manage their own schedule and assignments, so I help them with time management and how to look at their course schedule.” He says teachings in college move at a much faster pace than in high school.

“Most students are used to having homework,” says Elbadri. “But there isn’t any and every assignment is marked, so that creates pressure.” He helps students break down their scheduled assignments and create a balanced workload.

“A lot of it is just planning,” says Elbadri. “I use Excel and help students go step by step through their assignments.” These are also hints that students can put into play on their own.

Another tip from Elbadri is to consider the weighted value of an assignment.

Many students, he says, panic if they miss an assignment. “But if you look at the grade scale, it might only be worth two percent of your mark,” he says. “Being prepared and managing your time is key.”

 

Know where the resources are located

Another option is for students to talk to their professors. “They are there to help you learn – and it’s OK to say you aren’t understanding,” he says. “Don’t let pride get in the way of reaching out to your professor, or to [a student success specialist]. I’m online at the college along with many other web services to assist students in finding success.”

 

Don’t wait to act

Elbadri advises students to come to him early in the school year, rather than playing catch-up into the second term. “And a word to parents,” says Elbadri. “Don’t be a helicopter parent. I’m there to focus on the student and parents must realize that there is a fine line between helping and hindering.”   

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Useful websites

tutordoctor.com/ottawa-nepean/about-us/meet-the-owner-team/

kumon.com/orleans-trim-rd-taylor-creek-dr

algonquincollege.com/academic-success/student-success-specialists/