High-school report card showing subject areas and poor grades.

We’re nearing the end of the first quarter, and the much-anticipated Q1 progress report has landed in your mailbox. As you scan through it, your heart sinks. The grades aren’t what you expected or hoped for. You might feel a flood of emotions—disappointment, frustration, maybe even a bit of panic. But before you jump to conclusions or start thinking about grounding your kid, take a deep breath! 

While this may feel like a setback, it’s actually a golden opportunity for growth and learning—not just for your child, but for both of you.

Turning Feedback Into Progress

First off, this report isn’t just a summary of your child’s performance—it’s feedback. And feedback, even when it’s not what you want to hear, is incredibly valuable. It can open the door to new strategies and opportunities to help your child succeed moving forward. 

Here’s why this can be a positive thing:

  • Now you know the problem areas and where your child needs more support. Without this feedback, you’d be flying blind.
  • This report can spark an honest conversation with your child about their challenges and strengths. It gives them a voice in coming up with solutions.
  • Seeing this as an opportunity for growth by using this report as a learning tool helps your child see that setbacks are not failures. They are chances to improve.
  • This is a chance to help your child understand the importance of their academic habits and performance. Responsibility is a critical life skill!
  • Q1 is just one part of the school year. There’s still plenty of time to turn things around, and the earlier you start, the better the outcome.

Instead of letting frustration take over, let’s talk about how you can turn this feedback into an action plan for Quarter 2.

Creating an Action Plan for Quarter 2

Don’t dwell, what’s done is done. Now that you’ve taken a moment to reflect on the first quarter progress report, it’s time to get practical. Through some tried and true experimentation, we’ve outlined practical strategies and concrete steps you can take TODAY to help your child develop better habits and improve their performance moving forward.

1. Set Clear, Achievable Goals

Start by sitting down with your child and setting a few specific academic goals for quarter 2. Avoid vague goals like “do better in math.” Instead, aim for something like, “improve math test score by 10 points” or “spend 20 minutes reviewing math concepts each day.” The more specific the goal, the easier it will be to track progress.

2. Develop Strong Study Habits

Help your child establish a consistent study routine. This might mean setting aside time after school for homework and study. This works best if it’s established at the same time every day. Consistency is key! Encourage short, focused study sessions rather than cramming, as these tend to be more effective in retaining information. For example, try the Pomodoro Technique, where your child studies for 25 minutes, takes a 5-minute break, and repeats.

3. Create a Time Management Plan

Time management is often a challenge, especially when kids are juggling multiple subjects, extracurriculars, and social events. Work with your child to create a simple weekly planner that includes time blocks for homework, study, and relaxation. Visualizing how much time is available can help prevent procrastination and improve their ability to prioritize tasks. This is especially beneficial for children and teens with ADHD.

4. Use Tools to Stay Organized

Teach your child to stay organized by using tools like folders, binders, or digital apps to keep track of assignments and deadlines. Something as simple as color-coded notebooks for different subjects can help reduce the chaos and prevent that “lost homework” nightmare from becoming a regular occurrence.

5. Regularly Monitor Progress

Don’t wait until the next report card to check in. Set aside weekly check-ins to go over upcoming tests, assignments, and any struggles your child may be facing. These mini-reviews help you both stay on track and adjust the plan if necessary.

When The Strategies Aren’t Working…

What if, despite all your best efforts, the grades don’t improve, or your child’s progress seems to get worse? It’s important to understand that academic struggles often go beyond simple laziness or a lack of effort. In many cases, poor performance can be linked to underdeveloped executive function skills

For more information on the impact of underdeveloped executive function skills, check out our article “Transition to Middle School: The Importance of Executive Functions.”

If your child has difficulty staying on top of assignments, managing their time properly, and organizing their thoughts, they may benefit from targeted support in developing executive function skills. 

That’s where S4 Study Skills comes in. 

At S4 Study Skills, we specialize in helping students build the foundational study and executive function skills they need to thrive academically. Our professional and experienced tutors don’t just help your child prepare for their next test; they equip them with lifelong skills like:

  • Planning and Prioritization: We teach students how to break down big projects into manageable tasks and prioritize what needs to be done first.
  • Time Management: Our tutors guide students in creating effective study schedules and sticking to them.
  • Emotional Regulation: Struggling students often feel overwhelmed or anxious. We help them develop strategies to stay calm and focused, even when they’re feeling the pressure.

Our personalized approach ensures that each student gets the individual attention they need to succeed in their entire academic journey.

For more information about how Executive Function Coaching can help your child, check out our article “Does Executive Function Coaching Work for Students with ADHD?

Final Thoughts

Let’s face it, receiving a less-than-stellar quarter 1 progress report can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to spell disaster. Use this moment as a chance to identify areas for growth, work with your child on developing essential skills, and create a clear action plan for quarter 2. 

And remember, you don’t have to go it alone. S4 Study Skills is here to provide expert guidance and support to help your child unlock their full academic potential. Stay positive, stay patient, and most importantly—stay proactive. 

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Do you want to help your child get better grades and improve study skills? Contact us today to discuss your child’s needs and how we can support them!

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So You Just Got Your Child’s Q1 Progress Report, Now What?
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