Transitioning to and excelling in school can be an overwhelming time, not just for students but for parents too! Many parents faithfully prep school lunches, chauffeur their kids to sports and ECAs, and keep a close eye on their studies. But some parents, by choice or necessity, take this further, often making notes for, doing assignments with, and learning alongside, their high school kid(s)! While this dedication is commendable, it’s important to make sure that, as a parent, you’re using the right strategies to promote your child to become an independent and self-directed learner with true mastery of their content. Learning the high school syllabus and applying it during assessments, after all, is their job, not yours - and we’re sure you’ve got your hands full with adult stuff too!
Between navigating new subjects, managing expectations, and preparing for the HSC, your child’s journey is filled with challenges—and they’ll need your support along the way. So let’s check out these tips by expert tutors to make sure you strike the right balance between helping them and giving them the space they need to grow!
Your child will face plenty of challenges during high school, and it’s natural to want to jump in and solve their problems. But stepping in too often can backfire—students need to learn how to tackle difficult tasks and think critically for themselves. Instead of giving them the answers, guide them toward finding solutions. Ask open-ended questions like, “Have you answered all parts of the question thoroughly?” or “How would you approach this differently?” This approach teaches problem-solving skills they’ll use for life.
While independence is important, don’t let your child feel like they’re on their own. Make time to check in with them, ask how their studies are going, and talk about any challenges they’re facing. Regular conversations build trust and give you insight into how they’re handling the pressure. However, avoid micromanaging their schedule—your role is to offer guidance, not control.
Help your child establish a study routine that works for them. Encourage consistent study times, breaks to avoid burnout, and a designated study space that’s free from distractions. Suggest techniques like setting goals for each study session, summarising content, or using past papers to test their understanding. Be patient—it will take time for them to find the habits that work best for their learning style (especially if they’re coming off an addiction to online games or Netflix!).
Let’s be honest: you may not remember how to answer a complex science problem exactly using the language of the syllabus, or break down an English essay using the exact same format your child learned in school. And that’s okay! High school content changes (and it actually covers a lot of stuff!), and no parent is expected to know everything while also running a bunch of adult business. Kids look up to adults who are able to admit when they’re out of your depth, and it often provokes conversations about helping your child find the right resources, tutors, or study guides to fill in the gaps. Sometimes, knowing where to look for help is more valuable than trying to solve every problem yourself. We only have 24 hours a day!
And yes, we understand, you’re on a budget and tight on time and your child’s schedule is packed out already! So, maybe give private tutoring or tutoring centres, which are expensive and require effort, dedication, and commitment from both parties, a miss, unless your kid is really dedicated and wanting to learn at a level that is much higher than most. Instead, one of the best ways you can support your child is by equipping them with high-quality resources. Access to clear, well-structured notes, exemplar essays, and worked examples can make all the difference, especially for tricky subjects or topics they struggle with. Good resources give your child a head start and allow them to approach their study with direction and confidence.
This is where Notes2u can help. Our platform offers carefully curated resources—notes, essays, and exam-ready exemplars—tailored to help high school students excel. These materials are crafted by top-performing students and experienced tutors, ensuring your child has access to proven strategies and examples. They also clearly show you, the parent, exactly what class teachers or HSC markers are looking for, and hence give you a massive help in showing what you your kid needs to do, and enabling you to break down these ideas and concepts in the way you know your child learns best, leading them towards independent thinking and a positive work ethic.
So, if you’re one of those parents spending precious hours deciphering assessment criteria, thinking of ideas for your kid, writing their notes for them, or just stressing about their marks, buying resources from top students online is a brilliant and simple way for you to ensure all round success!
One thing many parents don’t realise is how different high school is from university. In high school, students rely heavily on structure—they’re given textbooks, syllabuses, and detailed guidance on how to succeed. But university is a whole new ballgame, where independence and self-directed learning take center stage. By encouraging your child to build and use resources like those on Notes2u, you’re helping them develop skills they’ll use well beyond the HSC: resourcefulness, organisation, and critical thinking. Providing you and your child with notes and exemplars is hence the best way to balance spoonfeeding and total autonomy - it takes the guesswork out of studying in an affordable, convenient, and reliable way.
At Notes2u, we’re committed to helping students succeed with minimal stress and maximum results. Here’s what sets us apart:
Supporting your child through high school isn’t about solving every problem for them—it’s about giving them the tools and encouragement to tackle challenges on their own. By offering guidance, promoting good habits, and providing access to great resources, you’re setting them up for success not just in the HSC, but in life.
At Notes2u, we’re here to help you do just that. Whether your child needs notes, essay examples, or concept explainers, we’ve got everything they need to study smarter, not harder. So, why wait? Explore our resources today and give your child the support they deserve!