Supporting Students Through Transition

Moving to a new school, a new country or simply advancing from one stage to the next brings not only opportunity but also challenges. For students, particularly international students, or those crossing key educational thresholds (middle school to  high school or high school to university), the transitions can stir uncertainty: unfamiliar systems, cultural norms, expectations, social dynamics, homesickness and even communication styles. Success in these times depends not just on academic ability, but on having strong executive functioning, emotional resilience, self-advocacy skills and a grounded sense of purpose.

At Oak & Ivy, we believe that helping students flourish requires a whole-child approach. We don’t just help with homework: we help build routines, understand emotions, communicate, plan and take ownership. And this approach is especially powerful during transitions.

What are some common challenges in transition for international or moving students?

For students beginning school in a new country, the transition often brings a wave of adjustments. They may encounter a curriculum that feels unfamiliar, alongside different classroom norms and expectations about independence, participation and even the types of assessments used. At the same time, the emotional side of change can be just as challenging. Homesickness, language barriers and the pressure to fit in quickly can leave students feeling isolated or “different,” even as they work hard to adapt. 

Practical responsibilities within the family can add another layer: managing visas and accommodation, adjusting to new academic platforms and calendars or staying connected with family across time zones can feel overwhelming. Students must also navigate shifts in academic expectations, such as different grading systems, styles of feedback and teaching approaches that may not match what they’ve known before. 

All of these changes increase the demand for strong executive functioning skills: planning ahead, breaking down long-term projects, balancing academic and personal commitments and staying motivated without close supervision. These skills are critical for success, yet they are still very much in development during adolescence, which makes support during transition all the more essential.

How Oak & Ivy’s Approach Supports Students Through These Transitions

At Oak & Ivy, we understand that transitions can feel disorienting, and that students need more than academic strategies alone to thrive. Our approach, built around the pillars of Root, Reflect, Rise, and Reach, offers a structured yet personalised pathway to help international and transitioning students grow through change rather than feel overwhelmed by it.

We begin with Root, helping students establish the foundations of stability through structure and routine. In a time when so much is new, consistency becomes the anchor. We guide students in setting up predictable daily and weekly rhythms—balancing study, rest, meals, and social time—and in breaking large tasks like projects or applications into clear, manageable steps. Together, we explore practical tools such as digital planners, reminders and visual schedules, all adapted to their new context. Even something as simple as creating an organised, comfortable workspace becomes part of rooting them in a sense of control and focus.

From this foundation, we turn to Reflect, nurturing students’ awareness of their emotions and their capacity to self-regulate. Transitions often bring culture shock and feelings of homesickness, so we normalise these experiences and invite students to process them. This might be done through journaling, conversations or mindfulness techniques. We teach calming strategies, from mindfulness to movement, while emphasising the importance of healthy routines such as sleep, exercise and balanced nutrition. Regular check-ins encourage students to notice what feels difficult, acknowledge progress and build resilience through greater self-understanding.

As confidence grows, we help students Rise, developing their independence, communication, and self-advocacy. This means learning how to ask questions, clarify expectations and seek help when needed, even when cultural or language barriers make this feel overwhelming. We encourage them to find their voice in group settings, to join peer or mentoring groups, and to build connections that foster belonging. Just as important, we guide them in setting boundaries, knowing when to say no, how to protect their study time and how to advocate for their own needs in new and sometimes unfamiliar environments.

Finally, we look ahead with Reach, supporting students in setting meaningful long-term goals and cultivating a sense of purpose. Academic success is part of the picture, but we also help them explore new interests, expand networks and imagine their future beyond school. Planning explicitly for transitions helps remove uncertainty, while visualising “life after school” empowers students to connect daily actions with bigger dreams. When setbacks occur, we celebrate small wins and model a growth mindset, showing students how to adapt and persist with confidence.

Through Root, Reflect, Rise, and Reach, our approach offers students not just tools for surviving transitions, but the skills and values to thrive in them, transforming moments of uncertainty into opportunities for growth, independence and resilience.