The Semester Debrief: Family Conversations for Growth and Goal-Setting

Reflecting on a semester isn’t just about grades—it’s about growth, resilience, and setting meaningful goals. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how parents can guide students through powerful conversations that celebrate accomplishments while addressing challenges. This episode outlines five key questions that help students reflect, recharge, and plan for the semester ahead. Whether your student is thriving or facing struggles, these insights will help them close one chapter and prepare for the next with confidence.

For additional thoughts from Director Alderdice, visit coreyalderdice.com.

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Learn more about ASMSA at asmsa.org/thrive.

Transcript

Today’s bonus episode is all about how to help your student reflect on the semester they’ve just completed. Whether your child is in a specialized program, like ASMSA, or attending their local middle or high school like my own son, this is the perfect time to hit pause and look back at the past few months. What went well? What didn’t? And, most importantly, what comes next?

Now, I know the holidays are busy, and it’s tempting to let the semester end without much reflection. But taking even a few minutes to talk things over with your student can set the stage for growth and success in the months ahead. So today, I want to share five key questions you can ask to guide those conversations.

Let’s start with academics. One great question to ask is, “Were there any topics or concepts that were especially challenging. And if so, how did you handle them?” It’s easy to focus on the grades, but the real value here is exploring how they approached challenges. Did they power through? Seek help when needed? Or maybe struggle more than they expected? Their answers can give you a window into their mindset and strategies for responding to challenges--because, let’s face it, not all subjects are equal as students may be strong in one area but have room for significant growth in another.

From there, you might ask, “Did your study habits work well for you, or do you think they need to change next semester?” The transition to more rigorous coursework often requires students to rethink their study routines--or even develop ones for the first time. Maybe they found a system that really clicked, or maybe they need to tweak their schedule to find more productive times for homework or readings. Either way, this question helps set the tone for intentional planning.

Of course, academics aren’t the whole picture. Another area to explore is stress and time management. You could ask, “How did you handle stress during busy times?” Students today juggle a lot—classes, activities, deadlines—and learning to manage all of that is a process. And while I don’t like to attribute a lot of current challenges in education to the pandemic, but I do see some continued issues for students in how they address stress and executive functioning that possibly stem from their development in middle grades during the peak days of Covid.  To that effect, this conversation can uncover whether they’ve built effective coping strategies or need extra support in this area.

Next, encourage them to look both back and forward at the same time. You might say, “Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you had done differently this semester? And what goals do you want to set for yourself next semester?” It’s okay to confront and be candid about setbacks, especially when it's the student who is offering that information. You see, reflection helps students identify patterns and see where they can grow, while goal-setting gives them something concrete to work toward. And don’t forget to ask, “How can I support you in reaching those goals?” Knowing they have your encouragement and understanding makes a big difference.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, check in on how they’re feeling overall. You can ask, “How are you feeling about school? Excited, stressed, or somewhere in between? Are you getting enough sleep and time to relax?” High achievers often push themselves hard, sometimes at the expense of their well-being. Giving them space to talk about how they’re really doing can lead to important insights.

The goal of these conversations isn’t to fix every problem or map out the perfect plan for next semester. Instead, it’s about creating a space where your student feels heard and supported. Growth doesn’t happen all at once—it’s built through reflection, trial and error, and the courage to try again. By asking thoughtful questions and truly listening, you’re helping your student build confidence in their ability to problem-solve and adapt. Remember, your role is to be their partner in growth, not their critic.

Celebrate their wins, no matter how small, and let them know it’s okay to stumble along the way—as long as they commit to keep moving forward. Balancing celebration with constructive feedback is essential because it reinforces their accomplishments while also highlighting areas for growth. When students feel acknowledged for their successes, they’re more likely to approach challenges with confidence. At the same time, constructive feedback encourages self-reflection and improvement, helping them develop resilience and a growth mindset. Together, this balance fosters both motivation and accountability, creating an environment where progress feels rewarding and setbacks feel like opportunities to learn.

So, as the semester wraps, I encourage you to take a little time to sit down, ask these questions, and really listen to what your student has to say. It might be one of the most valuable things you do for them both this year and into the next.