Here’s how tutoring can make a meaningful difference in your child’s academic and personal development.

5 Ways Tutoring Makes a Difference 

1. Why Start New Year Tutoring in January?

January marks the halfway point in the school year, offering a valuable opportunity to course-correct before final grades and exams. It’s also a time when students return from the holiday break refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges. 

By starting New Year tutoring now, your child can:

• Catch up on concepts they’ve struggled with in the first half of the year.
• Build strong study habits before spring exams and final assessments.
• Set new academic goals to finish the school year with confidence.

2. Personalized Support for Every Learner

No two students are the same, and neither are their learning needs. New Year tutoring offers a personalized approach, tailoring lessons to your child’s specific strengths and areas for improvement. Whether your child is grappling with math, reading, or preparing for standardized tests, a tutor can provide targeted strategies that make learning more effective and enjoyable.

3. Boost Confidence and Motivation

One of the most incredible benefits of tutoring is the confidence it instills in students. Struggling with schoolwork can leave children feeling frustrated or defeated, but New Year tutoring helps them master challenging subjects at their own pace. As they see their skills improve, they’ll become more motivated and excited to learn—a mindset that can transform their overall school experience.

4. Skills Beyond the Classroom

Tutoring isn’t just about improving grades. It equips students with essential skills that will benefit them for years to come, such as:

• Time management and learning how to prioritize tasks and manage study schedules.
• Developing problem-solving strategies to tackle challenging questions or concepts.
• Build self-discipline, focus, and accountability to stay on track with academic goals.

These skills are foundational for lifelong success, both in and out of school, making New Year tutoring an investment in more than just grades.

5. Finding the Right New Year Tutoring Solution

When it comes to tutoring, the options are endless: in-person sessions, online tutoring platforms, group programs, or one-on-one instruction. The key is finding the best solution for your family’s needs. 

A few questions to consider:

• Does your child learn better in a group or one-on-one setting?
• Is flexibility with scheduling a priority for your family?
• What specific subjects or skills does your child need help with?

At Oxford Learning, we pride ourselves on offering customized New Year tutoring solutions that cater to each student’s unique needs. Whether your child is catching up, keeping up, or excelling ahead, we’re here to help them reach their full potential.

Make This Year the Year of Academic Growth

The new year is a chance to make a fresh start—not just for resolutions but also for your child’s academic success. New Year’s tutoring is more than extra lessons; it’s a tool that empowers students to overcome challenges, build confidence, and achieve their goals.

Investing in tutoring now can set the stage for a brighter future, ensuring your child meets this year’s milestones and develops the skills to excel for years to come.

Ready to Get Started? Oxford Learning is here.

Let’s make this year the year your child’s best academic year yet! Contact us today to learn more about our new year tutoring programs and how we can help your child succeed!

Find a Location

The post New Year, New Tutoring—Setting Your Child Up for Success appeared first on Oxford Learning.

Whether you’re six or 60, there’s always room to improve! Even the smallest resolutions can lead to big improvements with the right habits and dedication. Here are a few learning-focused resolutions to help kickstart the new year on the right foot.

Try these New Year’s learning resolutions for every age group for a strong start to the school year ahead.

Elementary Learning Goals

1. Read More. Resolution: “Spend 20 minutes a day reading”
   Daily reading has many amazing benefits for students, including boosting reading comprehension skills, expanding vocabulary and even reducing stress.
   
2. Participate in Class. Resolution: “Ask a question at least once a week.”
   Class participation can have a positive impact on learning, helping to boost student engagement in the learning process. Learn more about classroom participation.
   
3. Get and Stay Organized. Resolution: “Keep my notebooks and bookbag organized.”
   Skills such as sorting, arranging, grouping, and categorizing are simple home skills that can be easily transferred to the classroom. Being organized takes practice and repetition, but even young students can learn this simple skill.
   
4. Practice Math Regularly. Resolution: “Review multiplication tables for 10 minutes every day.”
   When students have a strong foundation and can recite math facts easily, it makes learning more complex concepts simpler.

Middle School Learning Goals

1. Homework Goals. Resolution: “Don’t leave homework until the last minute.”
   Putting off homework can cause stress, especially when students have to rush to complete it. By taking care of homework right away, students reduce stress and build their school confidence. These homework tips can help.
   
2. Pay Attention in Class. Resolution: “Don’t daydream in class.”
   Paying attention in class and taking notes boosts class engagement, improves one’s grasp of the subject, and improves retention at test time.
   
3. Stop Wasting Time. Resolution: “I put my phone away when working on homework.”
   Why: Improves focus and productivity during homework and study sessions.
   
4. Read for Pleasure. Resolution: “Read for pleasure, not just for school.” Reading for pleasure has many benefits, including boosting vocabulary, building empathy, reducing stress, and expanding attention spans.

High School Learning Goals

1. Do Homework Every Night. Resolution: “Do some schoolwork every night, even when none is assigned.” The habit of reviewing the day’s class notes helps strengthen neural connections and increase retention and recall. Learn more
   
2. Make Study Notes. Resolution: “Write study notes by hand when reviewing.”
   Creating handwritten notes can improve students’ ability to learn and recall concepts much better than typing them out.
   
3. Don’t Procrastinate. Resolution: “I will get started even if I don’t feel like it.”
   Remember, motivation comes from action, not the other way around. the best way to find motivation is to just begin. Learn more
   
4. Review Often. Resolution: “I will review my notes more often.”
   Shorter but more frequent study sessions are more effective than spending hours studying at one time. Spread material to study out over the days available and study in short blocks, building memory and retention during each session.

Remember, learning goals should not necessarily be focused on achieving an end goal; it’s about the process of improvement and habit development. Sometimes, the journey of figuring out how to achieve a learning goal teaches just as much as the goal itself.

Reach Your New Year’s Learning Goals with Oxford Learning

Ready to make your learning resolutions a reality? At Oxford Learning, we provide personalized tutoring programs that help students of all ages achieve their academic goals and develop new skills. Whether you’re looking to boost grades, enhance study habits, or explore new areas of interest, we’re here to help.

Enrol today at Oxford Learning and take the first step toward a year of growth and success. Find a location near you and discover how our expert tutors can help your child reach their learning goals, whatever they may be!

Find a location near you.

This post was originally published in 2006. Updated for 2024.

The post Learning Goals for the New Year appeared first on Oxford Learning.

However, when students set goals and track their progress, they begin to see how their efforts in school directly impact their academic results. Simply put, goal setting can help students achieve even more than they imagined!

Keep reading to discover seven ways goal setting helps your child succeed at school:

1. Provides a Clear Path to Success  

This creates a structured plan, giving students a clear path to follow toward success.

2. Teaches Time Management & Preparedness  

Having a clear plan reduces procrastination. When your child knows exactly what they want to achieve and the steps required, there’s less room for delay. Goal setting also teaches organization, planning, and time management skills—skills that are useful in both the classroom and at home.

3. Increases Motivation  

If the big picture seems overwhelming, breaking larger goals into smaller, short-term goals can help. Reaching small milestones and seeing tangible progress is a great motivator, encouraging students to keep working toward their long-term objectives.

4. Measures Progress  

Clear goals make it easier for your child to track their progress. Seeing how far they’ve come—and what’s still left to do—motivates them to continue working hard. Tracking progress also allows for adjustments if needed, keeping students on track for success.

5. Gives Focus & Purpose  

Setting goals provides your child with a clear sense of focus and purpose. They know what needs to get done and can prioritize activities that contribute to their goals. This helps prevent feelings of being overwhelmed, frustrated or discouraged, keeping them on a steady path to success.

6. Boosts Self-Confidence  

As your child makes progress toward their goals, their self-confidence grows. Achieving milestones builds confidence in their abilities, improving their self-image over time. This confidence can reduce anxiety about future goals, enabling your child to take on bigger challenges with a positive mindset.

7. Provides Challenges  

Having small, achievable goals to work toward helps keep boredom and disinterest at bay. These challenges can boost classroom engagement, ensuring that your child remains focused and interested in their studies.

Encouraging your child to set clear, achievable goals is one of the best ways to help them succeed academically. Goal setting teaches valuable life skills such as time management, organization, and perseverance, which will benefit your child both inside and outside of the classroom.

Learn to Set Goals with Oxford Learning

Learning to set goals and reach them is a helpful tool for all students that can help them take their learning from good to great, boost their motivation, and set them on the path to success. At Oxford Learning, students learn to set goals that stick!

Find a Location

The post 7 Ways Goal Setting Helps Your Child Succeed at School appeared first on Oxford Learning.

When students create a goal for themselves and keep track of their progress, it helps them better understand the connection between the effort they put into school and their academic results.

Simply put, goal setting can help students achieve even more than they imagined.

7 Ways Goal Setting Helps at School

1. Provides A Clear Path To Success

When students set goals, it is important that they follow the CAM rule for goal setting:

• C: State Goals Clearly. 
• A: Ensure the goals are achievable. 
• M: Identify milestones to measure progress.

2. Teaches Time Management & Preparedness

Having a clear plan reduces procrastination. If your child knows exactly what they want to achieve and the steps required, there is less room for procrastination. Setting effective goals also teaches your child organization, planning, and time management skills they can use in the classroom and at home.

3. Increases Motivation

If the big picture seems overwhelming, break bigger goals into short-term goals. Reaching small milestones and seeing progress is great for motivation.

4. Measures Progress

Setting clear goals makes it easier for your child to track their progress. Seeing how far they have come and how much is left to do motivates them to continue working toward their goals.

5. Gives Focus & Purpose

Setting goals determines a clear pathway to success, allowing your child to focus on what needs to be done. This goes a long way to preventing your child from becoming overwhelmed, frustrated, or discouraged. It lessens feelings of disheartening and encourages your child to spend time on activities that contribute to their goals.

6. Boosts Self-Confidence

When your child starts making progress toward achieving their goals, it’s a big confidence boost! Your child’s confidence in their abilities is important for self-image in the long run, helping them tackle future goals with less anxiety. With that new-found confidence, your child can continue to set more ambitious goals.

7. Provides Challenges.

Having a small goal to work toward prevents boredom or disinterest from creeping in, which can boost classroom engagement.

Learn to Goal Setting with Oxford Learning

Learning to set goals and reach them is a helpful tool for all students that can help them take their learning from good to great, boost their motivation, and set them on the path to success.

At Oxford Learning, students learn to set goals that stick!

Find a location near you

The post Student Goal Setting: 7 Ways to Set Goals appeared first on Oxford Learning.

Setting goals in January can have a major impact on the outcomes and achievements of the year ahead. Using the CAM method, students can uncover the transformative power of continuous learning. 

Here’s why developing a deeper understanding of these principles can lead to reaching school goals and having a successful year.

The Significance of Setting Goals for the Year Ahead

Think of goal setting as plotting points on a map of life. A clearly defined goal can act as a guiding star, providing direction, purpose, and motivation for the coming year.

Whether aiming for educational milestones, enhanced well-being, or personal development, setting CAM goals ensures your aspirations translate into actionable plans. Clear, Achievable, and Measurable goals set the foundation for a purposeful and fulfilling year.

Learn more about how setting goals helps students achieve more.

Unpacking the CAM System

Whether it is increasing a mark in a subject that causes struggles or aiming for acceptance at a top-tier university, Clearly Stated, Achievable, and Measurable(CAM)Goals act as a framework for making goal setting more effective.

Here is how students can follow the CAM system:

Clearly Stated: Begin setting goals by clearly defining the parameters. Break down larger objectives into manageable steps, creating a roadmap that ensures they know exactly where they’re headed.

Example: Rather than stating a goal with a broad statement such as “I want a better mark in math,” try being more specific: “My aim is to get an A in math.“

Achievable: Keep goals within the possible realm. A student getting a C- in math is unlikely to get an A+ by the next test. Creating goals that are too lofty can lead to disappointment. However, setting goals that are possible builds confidence. Identify the steps needed to achieve the goal.

Example: “I will practice math for 1/2 hour every night and do three extra problems. I will ask for additional support at school and from my tutor.”

Measurable: Establish measurable criteria to track their progress. Identify the steps needed to reach the goal and set achievement benchmarks along the way.

Example: “Increase my C- in math to a C or B- by the next, a B+ by the one after that and an A by finals.”

Why Goal Setting Matters

Goal setting is more than just planning—it becomes a mindset that shapes thoughts and actions.

1. Motivation: Goals are daily reminders of the ‘why’ behind your child’s actions. Goals transform routine tasks into meaningful steps toward your child’s ultimate vision.
2. Focus: In a world filled with distractions, goals act as a compass, offering clarity to your child amidst the noise. They simplify decision-making and aid in effective time management.
3. Measurable Progress: Goals provide a tangible way to measure your child’s achievements. Regular assessments celebrate your child’s successes and allow for necessary adjustments to stay on the right track.

Check out our goal-setting toolkit for students.

The Power of Continuous Learning

The pursuit of goals is closely intertwined with a commitment to continuous learning. It’s a mindset that embraces growth as a perpetual process.

Skill Enhancement

Embrace continuous learning as a means of acquiring and honing skills. This ensures that your child remains relevant and adaptable in a dynamic environment.

Adaptability

The landscape of both personal and educational spheres is ever-evolving. Continuous learning equips your kid with the tools to navigate change, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

Expanded Perspectives

Learning exposes you to new ideas, diverse perspectives, and innovative solutions. This expanded knowledge base enhances your child’s problem-solving abilities, a crucial skill on the journey toward their goals.

Every new year is a new opportunity to revise directions and begin anew. With the CAM system as your and your child’s compass, achieving success in 2024 is possible.

Oxford Learning is Here To Help

In recognition of the pivotal role a Dynamic Assessment plays in getting your child proper educational help, we’re thrilled to offer a special promotion:

This DA is a valuable tool providing insights into your child’s strengths and areas for development, aligning seamlessly with your child’s goals for the year ahead.

Find a Location Near You

The post Why Goal Setting Matters for the Year Ahead appeared first on Oxford Learning.

4 Main Reasons Why Students Get Bored 

1. Lack of Relevance

A big reason for student boredom is seeing a lack of connection to or seeing the relevance of their school work. As students progress through grade levels, they may struggle to connect classroom material to their lives and goals. Students then feel that the subject matter is irrelevant.

2. Repetition and Routine

As students progress through their education, they often need more varied teaching methods. Traditional lectures and memorization can lead to a sense of indifference and disinterest. 

3. Limitations of Standardized Testing

A heavy focus on standardized testing can lead to a lack of flexibility for teachers to explore in-depth topics with creativity. 

4. Unrealistic Expectations and Pressure

The pressure to excel academically and meet expectations intensify as students enter the upper higher grades. The emphasis on achieving high grades and competing with peers can create an atmosphere of stress and anxiety. 

The pressure to excel can be overwhelming. It can lead to disengagement from learning and increasing boredom as students start to think of school as a burden rather than an opportunity.

Why Overcoming Student Boredom Matters

The increasing boredom experienced by students holds significant consequences for their educational outcomes and overall well-being:

1. Diminished Academic Performance: Boredom negatively impacts students’ ability to concentrate and retain information. As students’ engagement declines, their academic performance may suffer, leading to lower grades and limited opportunities for future success.
2. Higher Dropout Rates: Student boredom can increase dropout rates. When students no longer find value or meaning in their education, they may choose to leave school prematurely, limiting their chances for personal and professional development.
3. Reduced Motivation and Passion: Boredom can grind students’ motivation and dampen their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. This can deter their ability to pursue their interests and prevent their long-term personal and professional growth.
4. Negative Impact on Mental Health: Persistent boredom can adversely affect students’ mental health. Feelings of apathy and disconnection may increase stress, anxiety, and depression, impacting their overall well-being and emotional resilience.

A Gallup poll of 500,000 students in grades five through 12 found that nearly eight in 10 elementary students were “engaged” with school, that is, attentive, inquisitive, and generally optimistic. By high school, the number dropped to four in 10. source

Understanding the reasons behind students’ increasing boredom as they progress through their education is crucial for addressing this pervasive issue. 

To combat student boredom, educators and parents must prioritize the development of engaging, relevant, and personalized learning experiences. We can create a more engaging educational environment by fostering curiosity, embracing innovative teaching methods, and providing opportunities for exploration and self-directed learning. As parents, we can help ignite students’ passions and prepare them for a fulfilling and prosperous future. 

A vibrant and stimulating educational journey can spark a lifelong love for learning that ensures the ongoing engagement of every student

Consider a Tutoring Program to Overcome Student Boredom

Oxford Learning is here to help. Tutoring programs can help your child develop study and learning skills to help beat student boredom. Plus, a tutoring program will help set up your child for success for their entire life. 

Contact a location near you to learn more.

The post Why Students Get Bored—and Why It Matters appeared first on Oxford Learning.

But that doesn’t mean that going back to class is easy! The transition to returning to the structure and routine of being in class after being away from school can be difficult for many students. Getting back into the school swing after the holidays can take some time.

What Else Happens in School in January?

As the first month of the year, January can act as a reset button for habits and routines in life. While many of us set resolutions for the year ahead, January is a natural month to reflect and review the year that just passed and look ahead to the upcoming months.

For students in Elementary School, January is an important month to set goals, review routines, and develop stronger learning habits.

• Goal Setting: Does your family set goals in January? Setting academic resolutions for the year ahead is a great way to get students of all ages thinking about what they would like to achieve in the rest of the school year. Setting goals is easy with the CAM system.

January is the end of the first semester for students in High School on a semester system. The end of a term means that final exams may be given.

• Final Exams: Final Exams can be a stressful time for students. In fact, research shows 61% of teens admitted to feeling a lot of pressure to get good grades. That’s why solid study skills are key for all students. The more organized and on-track students are, the less stressful finals will be.
  
• College and University Applications. While actual deadlines will vary from province to province and across institutions, January is often considered a key month in the post-secondary application process.
• SAT and ACT US College Entrance Exams. For any Canadian student heading to a college in the USA, January is the perfect month to look up upcoming SAT and ACT registration and testing dates and make plans for the upcoming semester.

School Success Every Month with Oxford Learning!

Help your child navigate their education in January with a customized learning program. From reading programs to study skills and everything in between, extra help at Oxford Learning ensures your child is ready to succeed this year and every year!

Contact a location near you today.

The post What’s Happening in School in January? appeared first on Oxford Learning.

But what about goals for school? 

Setting new academic goals is a great way for students to contemplate what they would like to achieve academically in the coming year. 

New Year, New Academic Goals

Over the holidays, students can easily fall into a comfortable routine and stop prioritizing their schooling. But now that the New Year is here, it’s time for students to get back on track! 

Setting school goals is a great way to help students transition into the learning mindset and prepare to return to class refreshed and energized for the year ahead.

Students can set goals in different areas, including:

• Improving Marks in different school subjects; math, French, science, reading, history, etc.
• Homework Skills: procrastinating less
• Study Skills: not leaving studying to the last minute
• Soft Skills such as time management and organization
• In-Class Skills such as taking better notes and paying better attention or participating in class

Learn how to reset study skills with 10 new year’s resolutions for students.

Time to Get Motivated 

For students in high school, the end of the semester may be looming, which means exams are coming up fast. For elementary students, the halfway mark of the school year is here; if school issues need to be addressed, it is better to get started sooner than later.

While students’ educational goals will differ depending on many factors, setting them is simple when students follow the CAM method of goal setting. 

Ensuring that each goal they set is: 

• Clear 
• Achievable
• Measurable 

Students will be more likely to achieve that goal. The CAM system encourages students to be as specific and realistic as possible. 

For example, a C student in math should not aim for an A+ on the next test but rather to improve by 5-10  points. Students can measure and track their progress by working incrementally and identifying achievement milestones, which encourages motivation.

Take Action Now

Every school goal needs an action plan: once students have specified their goal, the next step is determining what they need to do to meet it. 

Having a goal and a plan helps students stay motivated and on track.

As students check off small tasks and see the end result getting closer, it makes them feel successful and accomplished, which increases the desire to keep working toward the end result.

No matter where students stand academically, setting a goal for the New Year gives a sense of purpose and creates benchmarks for students to track—and celebrate their progress. 

Need Help with Goal Setting This New Year?  

Starting the New Year with a tutoring program is a great way to support students as they achieve their goals. A personal tutoring program can help close any skill gaps and help struggling students get back on track.

Additionally, a customized tutoring program can stimulate students who aren’t challenged enough to excel.

Start the New Year off on the right foot with school goals and a customized tutoring program at Oxford Learning.
Contact a location near you to get started today!

The post Getting Into the School Swing After the Holidays appeared first on Oxford Learning.

Identifying goals, writing them down, and creating actions to achieve them keeps students on track. It can also boost learning motivation! Simply put: goal-setting helps students get better marks in every subject and transform their wishes into reality!

Turn Goals into Actions

It’s not enough to just wish for better marks: research shows that students are 42% more likely to achieve a goal when they write it down. Writing it down helps students have a visual reminder of what they are working toward. Whether it is on a calendar, in an agenda, or on a big post-it on the wall, students should always write it out!

Whether it’s getting a better math mark or being accepted to a top college, students work toward achieving their dreams with reliable goal-setting practices!

On Track to Success

No matter where students stand academically, setting a goal gives a sense of purpose and creates benchmarks for students to track their progress. 

Having something to work toward is a confidence booster, helping students stay motivated and on track. As students check off small tasks, they see the end result getting closer, which makes them feel successful and accomplished, which increases the desire to keep working toward the end result!

Follow the CAM Goal System

While students’ goals differ depending on many factors, setting them is simple with the CAM System:

• State Goals Clearly. Be as specific as possible.
• Make It Achievable.
• Set realistic targets for improvement. Don’t aim for an A if the current grade is a C minus. Work toward a B minus first, then adjust.
• Make It Measurable. Set milestones to track progress and boost motivation.

Oxford Learning’s customized learning programs help students learn to set learning goals while providing support as students work toward achieving their dreams.

The post Setting Goals Helps Students Achieve More appeared first on Oxford Learning.

Research shows that when used correctly, these practices can have a significant positive influence on student achievement. Goal-setting is about control, and children do better in school when they feel in control of their learning. Unfortunately, the current COVID-19 landscape provides many uncontrollable factors that can derail a student’s success, making it crucial to have proactive goal-setting strategies in place. 

As adults, we know how empowering it can be to set a goal and how good it feels to achieve it. Students can also benefit from goal-setting; establishing regular goal-setting practices early on allows them to control their academic success. Additionally, the habits they build around setting goals are transferable to their careers and everyday lives.

The Importance of Goal-Setting

There’s a reason why goal setting is such a popular subject—because it works! Below are a few key points to focus on when contemplating new strategies for your child’s academic success. 

• Goal-setting can produce academic gains of between 18 and 41 percentile points. [Marzano 2009 source]
• Goal-setting helps students focus on specific outcomes, encourages them to seek academic challenges, and clarifies the connection between immediate tasks and future accomplishments. (Stronge & Grant, 2014)
• Having a clear framework for achieving these goals can reduce procrastination. Time management and preparedness are fundamentals for goal-setting practices.

Setting Goals For School Success

To get the student motivated, you will have to tweak the process from regular goal-setting practices. To do this, include the following four elements within any goal-setting task. Without these, your child won’t receive the total value of this practice.

1. Provide opportunities to build competence
2. Give students control or autonomy
3. Cultivate student interest
4. Alter their perceptions of their abilities

The process by which goals are set, monitored, and reviewed is key to ensuring success. Oxford Learning recommends the CAM rule for setting goals that stick.

It is important to remember that goals will look different from student to student. Finding an approach that feels best for your child will maintain consistency.

Goal-Setting Tips

1. Goal-Setting works best when shared and written down. Keeping a goal tracking board at home is excellent for strengthening the habit and keeps everyone on the same page.
2. Goal-Setting requires more explanation for younger students. Talk to them about why we make a goal, the purpose, how it guides learning, and how proud you are when you hit that goal!
3. Set short-term goals and check in on progress frequently; we suggest daily or weekly. These check-ins allow you to review and revise based on student progress. Check-ins prevent students from feeling discouraged.

During the reviews, remember the following: 

• Make it personally relevant.
• Identify where the student is currently and what they’re looking to achieve moving forward.
• Break each step down into straightforward, actionable tasks.
• Have your child write their goals out in a dedicated notebook or goal-setting worksheet.
• Set realistic timelines.
• Adjust as you go. Life happens, things don’t always go according to plan. It’s okay to tweak things if necessary!

Here are five more tips for setting goals that stick so your child can get the most out of their education. With goal setting, students develop the skills to reflect on their learning and turn their understanding of their current knowledge and skills into a drive to learn more and get the most out of life.

The post Goal-Setting for School Success This Year appeared first on Oxford Learning.