School Stress: Helping Your Teen Deal
With test scores, grades, and college admissions to worry about, teenagers' anxiety can skyrocket, even if they are doing well in school. When your child is stressed out, try these tips to help get things back on track:
Get Organized
Help your child put together a schedule of activities. Start with things that happen at fixed times (such as soccer practice), then fill in the open spaces with study time, piano practice, relaxation time, etc.
Schedule work time for big assignments that will take several days or weeks to complete, as familyeducation.com suggests. This will help to avoid cramming a long-term project into a day or two, thereby reducing stress and giving your child a better chance at a good grade.
Encourage your child to create an organized workspace. A messy desk or backpack can easily swallow up a homework assignment. The time spent separating schoolwork into subject folders, organizing school supplies, and throwing out what your student no longer needs will save loads of time (and worry) later on.
Prioritize
It's great to be involved in a range of different activities; however, if soccer, swimming, school newspaper, and youth orchestra are taking up too much time, figure out what your child can afford to quit. Together with your teen, take into account their intended college major and potential scholarships, but don't forget to factor in genuine interest levels as well. Extracurricular activities that are purely for fun can help reduce stress.
Figure out what can wait until tomorrow - or next month. It might be a term paper that isn't due for several weeks, or even ACT or SAT prep, which can be done over the summer if it can't be worked into a hectic school year schedule.
Help your child set realistic goals, both in and out of school. Having attainable goals to work toward will help your child see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Stay Healthy
Sleep is a key factor when it comes to wellness. Teenagers generally need at least 10 hours of shut-eye each night. Studies have shown that teens who don't sleep enough have lower GPAs and higher rates of car accidents, and are more at risk for physical and mental illness.
Exercise is one of the best ways to blow off steam. Studies have shown that regular exercise actually helps change brain chemistry to reduce stress.
Eat well. A diet of high-calorie, high-fat foods can make your student feel sluggish, whereas a balanced diet will provide enough energy to tackle the day.
Be a healthy role model. If you tell your child to exercise, choose healthy foods, and go to bed at a reasonable hour, do so yourself. By forming good habits, your child will be less likely to medicate anxiety with junk food, alcohol, drugs, or other unhealthy behaviors.
Schedule recreational time. Although it may be tempting to urge your child to use that free Saturday afternoon for ACT study or biology homework, it's important not to work constantly. Your child needs the chance to play, relax, space out, and have fun.
Show Your Support
Allow your child to talk about their stress. A sympathetic ear can go a long way.
Find out what is causing your child's anxiety. Is it pressure to succeed? A big upcoming project? Standardized tests? Once you know the source, you can better help your student solve the problem. If your child needs academic support, visit our website to find out how we can help.
Be positive. Praising your child for their accomplishments can go a long way when it comes to self-esteem. When your child is struggling (a bad grade, a missed catch, a rejection), help shift their focus to the opportunities the situation presents. Even a disappointing experience can lead to a useful lesson.
Resources for Your Teen
The American Academy of Pediatrics website has a "for teens" section where your child can create a customized plan for managing stress.
If you have further questions about helping your child cope with the pressures of high school, feel free to contact one of our Enrollment Directors. Call us at 1-87STUDYPOINT (1-877-883-9764).
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