Students in Hong Kong are facing another school year out of the ordinary, so we turn to an education consultant and tutor to get some advice.
Here we go again! The school year of 2020/2021 has the potential to be just as uncertain as last year. For senior students, extended periods of school disruptions can have serious consequences. It’s important these students are engaged and armed with a plan to tackle the year, and any challenge it may throw at them. JEROME BARTY-TAYLOR is Managing Director of Barty Education and Development. He has shared a lot of advice with Hong Kong parents over the past twelve months. Here, he generously provides some additional tips for helping teens and parents alike plan for the next twelve.
Tip #1: You’ve got this…
If you stay organised! Organisation and setting expectations are key to success, especially during turbulent times.
- Get organised by creating a home learning routine and ensuring you’re sticking to it. Make sure you include some regular exercise and brain breaks.
- Parents, be sure to set clear expectations so children understand exactly what they must deliver as senior students. Also, give them the gift of efficiency. Teach them how to plan their day, how to create a to-do list and how to manage their time to achieve their goals. These are money-can’t-buy life skills.
Tip #2: Remember, every piece counts
No one knows what will happen this school year. The only certainty is uncertainty – and this includes final exams.
- Let your effort shine through on every piece submitted this year (for every subject). Remember, every piece counts. In fact, it might count more than you know at the end of the year.
- Don’t assume. This is not the time to make any assumptions. Be informed about how bell-curve grading works and what that means for you as an individual.
Extra advice for parents
Be realistic about the amount of work you’ll need to help your children with over the coming months. It’s going to be a tough year for everyone, so lean in and adopt the right mindset. Listen to them, too – a cry for help doesn’t always sound obvious.
A word from students
Jerome’s graduating students share their own advice.
Brandon Hui (MA Politics, Edinburgh)
Get your head into exam mode as early as possible in your final year, and get university and college applications out of the way as soon as possible. Just because there are disruptions to grades, don’t be afraid to aim high; I got offers from all five of my UCAS choices.
Jules Blum (BSc Maths & Science, École Polytechnique)
For IB students, unless you have faultless internal assessments and a predicted “7”, it will be very hard to get a top score with algorithmic grading. Submit extra essays or past-paper responses so your teachers know what you’re capable of; if exams are cancelled, you’ll have the best shot at success.
If your family needs some additional education support this year, reach out to Jerome and his team via bartyed.com or call 2799 6438.
For more expert advice from Jerome head to our Schools section!
This article first appeared in the Autumn 2020 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue..
