Going back to school after dropping out: How to support your child

If your child has decided to go back to school after dropping out, chances are they’ve gained some valuable work experience since they left. They will have learned how to fend for themself on many fronts and how to handle certain personal issues on their own. That experience is an asset that you can focus on to boost your child’s self-esteem (a key factor in academic success). Anytime they become discouraged, or if they have certain learning difficulties, remind them of their strengths. Here are some examples of qualities you could mention:

• Their ability to work in a team
• Their strong organizational skills
• Their ability to find effective solutions to different problems
• Their ability to resolve conflicts
• Their ability to remain calm and collected
• Their positivity and sense of humour
• Their natural curiosity
• Etc.

Motivation has to come from within for it to make a difference. But as a parent, you play an important role in helping your child stay motivated. Your attitude and actions will help keep them focused on their goal of earning their diploma. Here are some concrete steps you can take to bolster their resolve:

• Let them know how much you admire their decision to go back to school
• Provide a sympathetic ear and listen without judgment
• Help guide their decisions
• Remind them that failures are not the end of the world and emphasize the efforts they’ve made
• Talk with them about their future
• Etc.

There are any number of reasons why your child may have dropped out of school. However, if those reasons include past failures in school or learning disorders or difficulties, you can help them get off to a better start by suggesting they try the following:

• Talking to a vocational and educational guidance counsellor
• Not doing schoolwork when they’re feeling tired
• Making use of permitted assistive technology (e.g., word predictors, spell checkers, talking calculators)
• Taking notes during class
• Paying closer attention in class
• Asking questions as soon as they don’t understand something
• Using Alloprof’s services to help them study
• Etc.

Going back to school doesn’t necessarily mean returning to full-time studies or making one’s entire life about academics. Many young people who choose to return to school do so without giving up their jobs. The key to a smooth transition is to find the right work-study balance. Here are a few tips to share with your child:

• Find a job related to your career goals
• Set financial goals
• Determine an ideal number of hours to devote to work
• Talk to your employer about deciding to go back to school
• Learn to set limits
• Recognize signs of fatigue and burnout
• Etc.

Feeling supported is important for everyone, in all circumstances. But for students who dropped out and are now returning to their studies, having a support network is even more crucial. To ensure that your child gets the support they need when they need it, help them make a list of people they can reach out to:

• A parent
• Someone they trust in their immediate circle of friends
• A school staff member or a medical professional
• A classmate
• Etc.