Page 12 - TR RVO Extra 2020

12SS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE THREE RIVERS AND RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITIONS OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE • EXTRA
EDUCATION
Strategies parents can use to motivate students
are curious, and fostering that curiosity can be a great way for parents to get their kids excited about learning. Whether it’s during the school year and part of their curriculum or on summer break, encourage kids to engage in subjects that interest them. As kids learn more about these topics and subjects they may develop a passion for learning that they can then take with them to the classroom.
• Express an interest in the subjects children are studying. Another way to motivate students at the dawn of a new school year is to express an interest in the subjects they’re studying. Ask questions about their studies, and encourage them to share their thoughts and opinions. Engaging students about the subjects they’re studying can motivate them to explore those subjects more deeply than they otherwise might.
Motivating kids to be excited about their schoolwork at the dawn of a new school year can sometimes be difficult. But parents can employ various strategies that can help their children readjust to life in the classroom and motivate them to perform to the best of their abilities.
— Courtesy of Metro Creative
and support staff — to achieve your goals.” • Speak with your employer. Many employers support employees who want to return to school, especially when employees will be gaining skills that are applicable to their existing careers. Some employers may even help their employees
finance their education.
“It is important to work closely with
your employer to set expectations and ensure that you coordinate your work and class schedules,” Lawrence added. “Discuss college plans early to avoid miscommunication or misunderstandings along the way.”
Returning to school is becoming increasingly common for adults. Planning and making use of resources at your disposal can help you navigate the process of returning to school.
“Going to college as an adult is a big decision but is one that offers a great return on your investment,” Dawe said. “Your next chapter is ready to be written, and pursuing your education is a great way to get started.”
— Courtesy of Metro Creative, with contributions by Sarah DeClerk, creative services writer
Students may need some time to adjust at the beginning of a new school year. Summer vacations typically lack the structure of the school year, and it might be unfair to expect kids to seamlessly slip back into their more regimented lives as students.
While some early-school-year sluggish- ness might be normal, that should wear off pretty quickly. If not, and students appear to be struggling to get motivated for their schoolwork, parents can try various strate- gies that should help reignite youngsters’ passion for learning.
• Make your home more school- friendly. Summer is a relaxing time of year when parents have a tendency to relax rules around the house, but come
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that community colleges are designed with these factors in mind.
“Pick a program that suits your ultimate education and career goals,” he said. “If you are not sure, your community college will have career-exploration and planning services to assist you.”
• Revisit the skills required of successful students. If you’ve been out of school for a while, brush up on your
the school year, parents must make sure their homes are as conducive to studying as possible. Resist the urge to turn the television on each night so students are not distracted from their studies. Keep the home quiet so students are motivated to focus on their studies.
• Encourage participation in extracurricular activities. Various studies have examined the relationship between extracurricular activities and academic performance. A 2002 study published in the journal Sociology of Education found that participation in extracurricular activities is associated with improved grade-point average, increased college attendance and reduced absenteeism. The link between participation in
study skills, note-taking, annotating and other skills that can serve you well in an academic environment.
“It never hurts to brush up on math and reading skills in preparation for going back to college,” said Jason Lawrence, vice president of students services at Ozarka College. “However, at a community and technical college like Ozarka, we are especially equipped to examine where you are in your preparation and have the tools you’ll need to set you on the right track toward achieving your education goals.”
While some early-school-year sluggishness might be normal, that should wear off pretty quickly. If not, and students appear to be struggling to get motivated for their schoolwork, parents can try various strategies that should help reignite young- sters’ passion for learning.
extracurricular activities and improved academic performance is still in need of study, but such participation may help children acclimate to the structure of the school year more quickly than they might if they do not participate in such activities.
• Encourage curious youngsters. Kids • Sit down with a college counselor.
If you’ve been in college before, pull your transcripts and bring any information about coursework, credits and life experience. This way, you can be credited for what you have already accomplished. Counselors can serve as invaluable resources as you navigate a return to the classroom.
“Realize that we are here to help you achieve your goals,” Lorch said. “We want to meet you where you are and help you find the career that suits you. Be honest about what you want to do, and we’ll help you through your journey.”
• Seek help from a support network.
Adult learners often juggle learning with many other responsibilities, including caring for children, paying bills and putting food on the table, said Josh Wilson, vice president of advancement for Ozarka College. He added that those challenges mean that adult learners must stay more organized than youngsters when it comes to the competing priorities in their lives.
“No one can do it alone,” he added. “That is why it is important to lean on a good support structure — including family, friends and your college’s faculty