Time Management Tips for Teens Balancing Work and School

Fostering A Love For Reading

Think back to your younger days…were you an avid reader or were you the type of child who would rather do anything besides poke their nose in a book? Not everyone starts off with a natural love for reading, but reading is very important across all aspects of life. As kids get older and enter their tween and teen years, their desire to read (especially on their own) can dwindle. It’s up to us as parents, guardians, and instructors to encourage a relationship with reading, knowing that a strong reader has greater chances for success in all areas of their life.

We compiled some tricks of the trade that will help your child learn how nice it can be to curl up with a good book and be transported to whatever place the author has in mind. There’s nothing like it!

Suggest books that have been turned into a movie.

If your teen loves movies, there is a good chance that one of the movies they have seen recently is based on a book. Encourage them to check out the book from your local library and see how the movie and book compare and contrast. This is a great way to get them interested in reading. Movies typically veer somewhat from the book and people love to break them down and see which one they liked better. It also might help your child to get through the entire book because they have an expectation of what is going to come next.

Delve into graphic novels.

Your teen is certainly at an age where they don’t need picture books but sometimes books that are solid text can be overwhelming, especially if someone doesn’t like to read or struggles with reading. Graphic novels can merge the two worlds and be a step into deeper literature. With a little research (or a helpful librarian!), you can help your tween discover graphic novels in genres ranging from fantasy to biography.

Introduce them to audiobooks.

Whether you check these out from your local library or download them onto a device, audiobooks can spark a love for reading in a whole new way. You can listen to the book together in the car or even around the house. Thanks to smart phones and tablets, audiobooks are more accessible than ever.

Find out what their interests are.

Is your teen dealing with something at home, with their friends, or in school? Chances are the young adult section in your library has a book on it. If your teen can relate to a book and see themselves in it through characters, they will have a greater chance of not only finishing the book but looking for another one once they are done.

Lead by example.

You’ve realized since your child was a baby that they follow your lead. If you have less than stellar reading habits, they’ll follow suit. If you act like reading is a chore, how do you think they’ll view it? You set the tone. Remember that. Show them good academic habits, including frequent reading, and you just may be surprised at how quickly they come around.

At My Virtual Academy, we know your teen has what it takes to succeed and accomplish their dreams. Sometimes all it takes is someone like you to set their soul on fire and get them moving in the right direction. If your teen’s educational needs haven’t been met in a traditional school, why not give virtual learning a try? Click here or give us a call at 800-297-2119 to see why so many students are turning to virtual learning as a way of earning their high school diploma.

Beating Senioritis: The Finish Line Is In Sight

Advice, Education, High School, Teenagers | 0 comments

We totally get it. The holidays are long gone. Your mind has turned to graduation and let’s face it, you are beyond ready to be done with high school! Senioritis is a very real thing that takes over those who are nearing graduation and it happens every year to the next group getting ready to graduate. Senioritis can be defined as the time when students who are in their final year of school feel an overwhelming lack of motivation and a decline in performance. Sound familiar?

There doesn’t need to be any shame in your game! Almost all of us can say we’ve been there. The end is approaching and after working so hard year after year, it’s easy to begin feeling “over it” and want to sail over what remains of the school year. While your eyes and mind are set on what is ahead after your high school graduation, keep in mind that you still have these final months to push through and keep up those grades. This is the time to make the most out of your senior year and enjoy it to the fullest!

School needs to be in the forefront.

While it’s tempting to toss your hands up and accept any grades that come your way these last few months, keep your eyes on the prize. You need to get through these remaining courses in order to graduate, so don’t be this close and blow it right at the end! You may be focused on employment after high school or maybe you’ve been accepted into college, but remember you have to finish this first. Also keep in mind that colleges can pull transcripts through the end of your high school career even though you may have been accepted already.

Focus on the subjects that excite you.

Do you have a passion for science? What about history? English? There’s bound to be something that ignites a fire inside of you and once you find that, study up on it or work a little ahead of pace while you are still in high school. This is the perfect time to delve a little deeper and see what career you may want to pursue surrounding that passion.

Connect with your teachers, mentors, etc.

The support team you have with My Virtual Academy is like no other. You have people cheering you on and wanting you to succeed everywhere you turn. If you think you can hide and sneak around these last few months, forget about it because they’ll find you and get you back on track. We all have your end goal in mind, and we want you to succeed. Take these last few months to soak in all the knowledge they have and utilize these supportive members to the fullest.

Set goals for yourself.

If you are having a really hard time with getting motivated to get up and do your schoolwork, why not give yourself some incentive? You could do things like tell yourself that if you complete your lesson or do a mastery test by a certain time, you’ll treat yourself to a healthy snack or a longer break than normal, for instance instead of taking a 5 minute break, you take a 15 because you reached your goal. Making learning fun is the key to staying interested and motivated.

We really work hard to make sure that each of our students succeeds and reaches graduation. We know this time can be hard. You might feel like you are already beyond your high school days and onto college, but reel yourself in and remember that you have just a short time to go, then you will be on to the next chapter of your life. Always remember that we are here for you, cheering you on along your educational journey!

Have you checked out or YouTube channel lately? If you’re still trying to make up your mind about where to further your education or what career path to take, head over to it and watch some of the videos. We’ve had some fantastic speakers at our Career Corner, and we hope that you liked our guest speakers as much as we did! Click here to start browsing! If you know someone that needs their high school diploma tell them to call us at 800-297-2119.

My Teen Is Dating, Is It A Healthy Relationship?

Advice, Communication, Teenagers | 0 comments

When your teen starts dating, it can be a scary time for parents. Tons of questions run through your mind – are they old enough to date? Does this person treat them with respect? Are they a good influence? Is it a healthy relationship? As parents, it’s our job to worry about our children and that worry doesn’t go away whether they are 2 or 52. We try to suppress our worries and fears so our children can spread their wings, but when you have a gut feeling that something just isn’t right, it’s a feeling you can’t shake.

During the teenage years, it’s normal to become infatuated with others at lightning speed. You may hear your teen talking about someone for the first time one day and then a few days later they are talking about going out on a date with that person. Teen relationships can develop quickly and at that age, some teens don’t want to admit to their parents that perhaps there is a reason to worry about the person they are dating. They may keep the relationship going to avoid embarrassment and/or shame. Other times, the person they are dating may be the popular kid at school or in their circle of friends and they don’t want to let that feeling go. One thing is for sure, you’ll never know what’s going on with your teen and their relationships if you don’t pay attention to the ques. This is the age that children take a step back from spilling all their feelings to their parents. It’s a shame because this is a time when parents are needed most.

When is a relationship truly unhealthy?

Let’s say that you have this nagging feeling that your teen isn’t being treated right by the person they are dating. If you have those feelings, you should to take it a step further and determine if your teen is in an abusive relationship. It’s important to point out that abuse can happen at any age and at any socioeconomic level. People can be psychologically abused, physically abused, and/or sexually abused. Below are just some examples that fall under the three categories, but the lists are extensive:

Psychological Abuse: Humiliation, isolation, intimidation, yelling/screaming, threatening, calling names, sabotage, jealousy, forcing person to do things against their will
Physical Abuse: laying hands on the other person such as slapping, hitting, choking, etc., ruining property, restraining, throwing objects, using objects to intimidate
Sexual Abuse: Humiliation sexually, rape, sexual assault, refusing to use protection during sex

What to look out for

You may have an idea after reading the examples above on whether your teen may be in an unhealthy dating relationship. There are other things to look out for and luckily, there are ways you can help. Keep an eye open to make sure that your teen isn’t losing friends or withdrawing from family. Remember, it’s normal for teens to want some alone time and to want to hang with their friends over their family. Just make sure it’s not becoming a situation where they are only spending time with their boyfriend/girlfriend because that’s not healthy. Is your teen always in contact with this person? Feeling that they need to “check-in” or let them know what their plans are? Big red flag. If your teen interacts with other boys/girls their age does this person get jealous? Is your teen feeling the need to stand up for their boyfriend/girlfriend? Is your teen acting sad or depressed since they started dating? These are all huge warning signs that their relationship isn’t right for them.

Taking action

Okay, so the warning signs are flashing right in front of your face…what do you do? First, keep in mind that you don’t want to come across as confrontational. Your teen is likely embarrassed and even though the abuse isn’t their fault, they may feel like it is. Remember, at this age, their brains can’t clearly sort all of this out like yours can, especially since they are in the middle of the storm. Make sure you let them know that you will listen and not pass judgement on them or their situation. Try to make them understand you believe them and what is happening. Let them know you think it’s brave and courageous that they decided to tell you. You could take that time to devise a plan as to how they will end things with the person so they have a good breakup plan. Also, keep in mind that criticizing their boyfriend/girlfriend will not work. In fact, it may draw your teen in closer to them. If at any time you are having trouble getting through to your teen research some dating abuse websites such as thehotline.org. They have helplines available for teens in abusive relationships.

Abuse is never right at any age. When teens are feeling vulnerable, embarrassed, and are still growing into their own skin, they may feel scared, ashamed, and embarrassed discussing their woes with anyone – even their best friends – because they would rather suffer than risk the judgement and humiliation that they would feel. Always keep being the amazing parent(s) that you are, keep your eyes peeled for the warning signs, and let them know that you are there to talk things through when they are ready. You’ve got this!

If you have a teen who was struggling in traditional school and are looking for an alternative way for them to still learn and earn their high school diploma, My Virtual Academy may be the perfect fit! Our students work virtually, from the comfort of their home, at their own pace, at times that work best for them. Reach out to us on our website or by calling us at 800-297-2119 for more information. Our Enrollment Specialists are standing by waiting to answer your questions.

Keeping Your Student Motivated Before Break

Advice, Education, High School, Teenagers, Virtual School | 0 comments

The stores are bustling, houses are lit up with outdoor lights, and students are itching for a break. That can only mean one thing: Holiday break is right around the corner! When this time of the year approaches, it’s easy for students to start to lose motivation and interest when all they want is a much needed (and deserved!) break from school.

It can be hard to keep your student focused during these last couple of weeks before break, but try some of these strategies to keep their eyes on their schoolwork and they’ll continue nailing their tests and coursework right up until the holiday break.

Change Where They Study

A simple change of location can do wonders to reinvigorate the mind. Does your student usually study in their bedroom at their desk? Why not offer that they study at the kitchen table or in the living room? They could change the location up every couple of days if it helps their motivation.

Switch up Their Seating

Have any of those exercise balls lying around? Ask if your student wants to use that instead of their desk chair! They are used a lot in traditional classrooms now to help students keep their mind on their work and your teen may find them a nice change of pace.

Get Up and M.O.V.E.

Fresh air (even cold air!), sunlight, and the energy flowing in nature are sure to give your student a nice, quick break and reset their mind where they are ready to focus and dig into their schoolwork. Have your student take a walk, sit on the patio, or take a quick run for about 15 minutes to clear their head and refocus.

Keep Hands Busy

Remember that fidget spinner craze? Some traditional schools and homeschooling parents have actually found that proper use of them, or products similar, can actually keep your student’s hands busy and allow them to channel their energy into their studies. If you can’t get your hands on a spinner, give them some Play-Doh. It might seem juvenile, but just manipulating it in their hands as they study can help them listen and learn.

Ask Your Student to Teach You

In order to make sure they are really focused and understanding the concepts, why not ask your child to teach you the lesson? Have them act as the teacher and teach you the current math method they are learning or have them explain what they are studying in social studies. This will not only refresh your memory in case they have questions or need help, but it will give them another opportunity to go over the material and lock it into memory.

Explore Different Ways of Learning

When your student hits a lull, encourage them to explore different ways of learning about their current topic. Instead of just reading about the ancient Egyptian pyramids, sit with them and find videos or documentaries on them. Learning in a variety of ways keeps things spiced up and interesting so don’t be afraid to venture outside of the box.

Take Five

Like we mentioned before, everyone needs a break during the day and your student is no exception. Sometimes a 5 minute break is what’s needed to clear the head and direct their focus. Laugh, tell jokes, watch a quick video on YouTube, or grab a snack. It’s like a power break so make it count and then have them get back at it!

At My Virtual Academy, our teachers are always coming up with new ways to make lesson plans exciting and engaging. We realize this time of year it can be hard to keep student’s focused since they have the excitement of the holiday’s right around the corner. You might have out of town relatives coming in or parties to attend. Whatever is happening in your household, it is sure to be enough to make your students mind wander so use our strategies above to bring their attention back to their schoolwork.

Our staff at My Virtual Academy works really hard to provide your student with an online environment in which every student will thrive. We take pride in our flexible learning method and create our coursework to meet each student’s unique, individual needs. To learn more call 800-297-2119.

Have you visited our Facebook page lately? We are always posting things that enrich our student’s lives and it allows you an opportunity to connect to the rest of the My Virtual Academy community. Head over here and “like” our page today!

Teaching Your Teen Critical Thinking Skills

Advice, Communication, Education, Teenagers | 0 comments

Think back to your grade school days, critical thinking has always been something teachers strive to teach their students. After all, it’s a skill that is vital in life. Critical thinking is when someone thinks independently, clearly, and rationally, by connecting ideas, forming their own opinions, analyzing, and then drawing a conclusion.

There are many opportunities to teach your child how to think critically, so don’t just leave it up to their educators. As human beings, we tend to be curious creatures and with a few strategies and talking points, you can turn an everyday moment into a teachable one.

Ask questions that can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”

Take a moment to think about the questions you are asking your child. Do you always keep things simple and get one word responses? Change up what you ask. Instead of asking if the sky is blue, try asking why is the sky blue. Just switching the question around a little bit will turn it from a no brainer question to one that they have to think about before answering.

Look to classic literature pieces.

Do you have a teen who loves to read? Encourage them to read the great classics, such as Shakespeare. Classic pieces have characters that are deep and rich. They are sure to get your teen thinking in a critical manner while they think about what will happen next in the story, what the characters motives are, and so on.

Relate questions to real life events.

As we mentioned, life presents opportunities at every turn for one to think critically. Watching the evening news, reading the newspaper, or even simply people watching at the local mall will provide plenty of opportunity to pose questions and have open discussions with your teen.

Ask questions such as:

What do you think that person was thinking?
If you were in their shoes, what would you do?
What were the dangers there?
Who were the helpers?
How would doing that benefit them?
How did their actions help achieve their goal?
What were the possible outcomes in that situation?

Questions like these will get them digging deeper and also will get them thinking about how they would respond if they were in a particular situation.

Teach them to sort through information.

A big part of critical thinking is knowing how to dissect vast information. Your teen will need to know what information will be crucial to them when forming their opinion and what information is just “fluff.” They will need to know how to read information given to them and find the useful and pertinent facts relative to their topic. They already do this to some extent when working on project or pulling out which information to focus on when studying for a test. Help your student further develop this skill by reading passages from newspapers or articles online. Ask them to read the story and then let you know their opinion and what information they used to form their opinion. This opens a gateway for a nice dialogue between you and your child.

Correct assumptions.

Remember, your teen’s brain is still developing which is why we are focusing on their critical thinking skills. They might have assumptions or misconceptions of what they are reading. This is a great time to talk with them should you notice their line of thinking isn’t factual. When you give them information that they might not have had or explain to them why their assumption is wrong, you are widening their horizons and broadening their knowledge so never miss out on that opportunity.

At My Virtual Academy, we are always striving to incorporate critical thinking into our lesson plans. With help from parents like you at home, your teen will have the skills needed to be successful for life after graduation. Looking to stay in-the-know with the MVA community? Make sure to “like” our Facebook page. Our staff is always sharing useful information about our school and ways to help your students.

Parenting a Teen through Positive Reinforcement

Advice, Communication, Teenagers | 0 comments

Most parents can agree: the teenage years can be rough! Hormones are raging, they are trying to gain more independence, and they spend a lot of time away from their parents and their home while hanging with friends. One minute they love and adore you, the next minute you ruined their life. Can many of you relate?

When tempers flare and disagreements are happening, it’s hard to not resort to yelling and harsh discipline, but studies are showing us that positive reinforcement may be the key to success, not just in the home but also in their school life.

We’ve all heard the saying, “The one who is hardest to love needs love the most.” It’s very hard to set emotions aside and give positive feedback to a student or child who is constantly difficult and making your day-to-day life challenging. It’s easier to yell and put them in their place. Yelling is only making tensions higher and your teen angrier, so let’s try a different approach and see how it works!

As a student at My Virtual Academy, your teen will have weekly interaction with their teachers and mentors. We work hard to provide positive reinforcement during these interactions and bring to the forefront things that the student is excelling with, while still discussing and resolving any areas of concern. These weekly interactions are vital to your student’s success and we want them to be a positive experience that they look forward to.

In regards to school, if you notice your student is struggling, take a different approach and instead of getting mad or grounding your teen, commend them on something that you noticed they did well. Maybe they are having a hard time solving that math problem but they knew what method to use. Give them credit where credit is due. This makes them less defensive and they’ll be more open to your help and guidance.

Keep in mind, teens are facing difficult decisions on a daily basis that could impact their future. It’s hard to not cave into peer pressure and make the less popular decision, but it happens all the time and teens should be rewarded when the right choice is made.

When we think of “rewards” our mind usually equates that with a monetary value. That’s not necessarily the case and we’ll show you some different ways to entice your teen to be a good, productive student and member of society.

Remember, you DO NOT and SHOULD NOT give a reward for every good thing your teen does. This is a tool in your tool belt to reward them when you see fit. It’s an alternative way of parenting because they’ll be receptive to the rewards and these little rewards will help keep them on the right track. The rewards will let your teen know that you notice the good things they are doing, not just focusing on the bad.

Here are some reward ideas that will reinforce good behavior and deter the bad:

Does your teen have a special hobby or interest? Build a reward based on that. Extra skate time at the local skate park or new paints and canvases for their art projects are sure ways to let them feel rewarded and appreciated.
Teens always love freedom. How about rewarding good behavior by adding an extra half hour onto their curfew time? This will not only build trust between you, but will give them extra hangout time with their friends.
Cook them their favorite meal. Let them know tonight’s dinner will be one to celebrate their successes and ask them to plan the menu so they get their favorite things to eat.
Lengthen your teen’s car privileges. If your teen has been on good behavior or did something worth noting, why not give them longer access to the family car? They’ll love the independence and will surely thank you for it!
Allow your teen to skip setting the alarm on the weekend. Every teen loves sleep! That’s just a fact. Let your teen know that because of their good behavior, they can sleep in as late as they’d like on the weekend. It’s great not having to wake up to an alarm, and they’ll love it too!
Lastly, don’t forget the power of a hug and saying, “thank you.” Thanking them for doing well on their schoolwork or for helping out around the house can go a long way. Show them your love and appreciation and let them know it makes for a much nicer, calmer home when they are keeping up their end of the bargain (getting good grades and doing chores around the house).

Teens are just like us. We don’t like it if all we hear is the negative from our boss at work, so why would your teen respond positively to yelling or nagging? They won’t. That’s why it’s so important to try another approach and always remember to never forget the power positive reinforcement holds!

At My Virtual Academy, we make it our daily mission to help students in grades 5-12 excel and work towards their goal of obtaining their high school diploma. Your student’s success is our number one focus. If you would like to learn more about our virtual school, click here to visit our website, follow us on Facebook, or give us a call at 800-297-2119.

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