
As parents, you want your children to excel in school and achieve good grades. However, sometimes you may worry about your child’s performance and be unsure how to support them best.
Will they struggle with studying? Will they fall behind?
No parent deserves to be stressed out constantly, and students deserve the support they need to reach their potential. To help out, I’ve created a list of secret school tips that can help your teenager get good grades and thrive academically. With these school tips and hacks, you can empower your teenager without becoming a drill instructor.
Why Your Teen Needs School Tips and Hacks
Let’s face it, school is complex, and it’s gotten much more complicated since you were in school. If your teen struggles, it’s probably not because they are lazy. There is a good chance that your teen is putting in the effort behind closed doors.
Academic struggles are not always indicative of a lack of intelligence or ability. Instead, they may be due to various factors that can be addressed with the proper support and strategies.
Working hard is not a guaranteed path to success anymore. Your teen needs to work smarter, not harder.
Unfortunately, your teen is probably not learning the skills needed to work efficiently in school. Schools nowadays are far too focused on content and end-of-year exams. As a result, your teen may face some of the following challenges:

Lack of practical study skills: Many teens may not have developed effective study skills, such as time management, note-taking, or active reading techniques. These skills are crucial for academic success as they help students organize and retain information effectively.
Weak organizational skills: Teens may struggle with staying organized, keeping track of assignments, managing deadlines, or prioritizing tasks. Poor organizational skills can lead to missed assignments, lower grades, and increased stress.
Lack of motivation or engagement: Some teenagers may struggle with low motivation or lack interest in their studies. This can be due to various reasons, such as disinterest in the subject matter, lack of clear goals, or external distractions.
Until your teen develops these skills or improves their mindset, there is a good chance that they will struggle academically. Thankfully, you can use these tips to help them bridge the gap and get on the right path.
The 4 Secret School Tips and Hacks for Getting Good Grades:
I’ve developed these success tips for school students based on my 20 years of experience as an educator. You know your teenager better than anyone else, so pick the information you think is most applicable to their situation.
I recommend implementing 1-2 tips at a time. Otherwise, you might overwhelm your teen.

School Tip 1: Set Clear Goals
Working with your teenager to set clear behavior-based goals can have numerous benefits. Establishing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), goals together can help your teenager develop a sense of purpose and direction.
Behavior-based goals focus on actions and habits that directly impact academic performance, such as completing homework on time, attending class regularly, and studying consistently. This approach encourages accountability and responsibility while also fostering a growth mindset.
Additionally, focusing on and praising your teen’s behavior rather than the outcome will give them greater control over their academics and help them build confidence.
School Tip 2: Encourage Balance and Self-care
Encouraging school/life balance and engaging in self-care routines with your teenager can significantly benefit their academic performance. Prioritizing a healthy balance between school responsibilities and personal well-being is crucial for long-term success.
You can model this by engaging in self-care routines alongside your teenager, such as exercising, practicing mindfulness, and setting aside time for hobbies and interests. These behaviors promote a healthy mindset, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being, which can boost cognitive function and academic performance.
A well-rested and emotionally balanced teenager is better equipped to manage their school workload, focus on their studies, and retain information. Encouraging school/life balance and self-care routines also helps prevent burnout, promotes time management skills, and encourages a positive approach to managing academic stress.

School Tip 3: Foster A Supportive Environment
Fostering a supportive environment with your teenager can positively impact their academic performance. Creating a safe space where mistakes are accepted, focusing on being encouraging, and demonstrating trust in your teen are vital components of fostering a supportive environment.
When teenagers feel comfortable making mistakes without fear of harsh criticism, they are more likely to take risks, learn from their errors, and grow academically. Encouraging, offering praise, and celebrating their successes can boost their confidence, motivation, and self-esteem, improving their grades.
Demonstrating trust in your teen by giving them autonomy, respecting their choices, and valuing their opinions can foster a sense of responsibility and ownership over their education. Trusting your teen can inspire them to take their studies seriously, be proactive, and strive for excellence.
School Tip 4: Seek Help When Needed
You should remember that they do not have to take on the burden of providing academic support alone. While tutoring can be a helpful resource for content-specific challenges, it may not always address the underlying foundational problems affecting their teenager’s academic performance.
Instead, you may want to consider reaching out to an academic coach. Academic coaching goes beyond content knowledge and focuses on developing study skills, time management strategies, organizational techniques, and other essential skills to help students succeed.
Academic coaches work with students to identify their strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and create personalized plans to improve their academic performance. By seeking the right educational help, you can give your teenager the support they need to thrive in their studies and achieve academic success.
Implementing these secret school tips can empower your teenager to excel academically and succeed in high school. Remember that every student is unique, so it’s important to tailor these tips to your teenager’s needs and learning style. Working together as a team can help your teenager overcome academic challenges and thrive in their educational journey.

Parent-Teen Collaboration While Implementing School Tips
It’s not uncommon for parents to face challenges when working with their teenagers on academic matters. Teens may resist parental involvement, ignore advice, or push back against perceived interference.
This dynamic can create conflicts and strained relationships, as parents may struggle to understand why their teen isn’t listening to them or taking their guidance seriously. Teens may resist parental involvement for several reasons, such as a desire for independence, a lack of effective communication, or differences in learning styles and preferences.
In such situations, an academic coach can be a valuable intermediary between you and the teen. An academic coach is a neutral, trained professional who can bridge the gap and facilitate effective communication between parents and teens. They can provide personalized guidance and support to help teens improve their academic skills, set goals, and develop effective study habits without the emotional baggage that may come with parental involvement.
An academic coach can also help you understand your teen’s unique needs and perspectives while providing practical strategies for parents to support their teen’s academic success. By working with an academic coach, you can alleviate some of the burden and frustration of navigating academic challenges with your teenager on their own, leading to a happier and healthier relationship between the parent and the teen.
Taking The Next Step
You can greatly support your children’s academic success by implementing secret school tips such as setting behavior-based goals, encouraging effective study habits, fostering a supportive environment, promoting school/life balance and self-care, and seeking the right kind of academic help.
As an academic coach, I am here to make this process easier for you and your child. I can provide personalized guidance, strategies, and support to help your child excel in their studies and achieve their academic goals. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me for assistance in unlocking the secrets to academic success. Together, we can help your child thrive in their educational journey.
About the Author: John Hyde
I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset.
After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success.
I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life.
If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.
Author Spotlight

Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.
I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking.
If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.
It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here