There’s no endless summer and it’s back to school time. Believe it or not many teens find returning back to school stressful. And the anxiety of returning back to school affects all types of kids, no matter what kind of grades they get in school and what kind of extracurricular activities they choose.
All teens feel their problems are unique and no one knows how they feel quite like they do. While their summer seemed to be filled with summer friendships especially in the social media arena, the physical act of returning to school is still a difficult adjustment. For many teens it’s a time of extreme self-consciousness. Let’s face it we all want to fit in.
Kids also stress about the future. Each year they return back to school they are painfully aware they are one year closer to finishing school. They are now asking themselves who am I? Where will I go after school? And what will I be doing with my life?
So how do you help your teen cope with back to school stress? Skip the motivational talk and ask them how they’re doing. And be prepared to listen. Really listen. Acknowledge their fears and take joy in their accomplishments.
All kids stress about schoolwork. No matter what grade they are in and how much school work is assigned, they tend to feel overloaded. And there’s no way around it, school requires one to work. However, as a parent you can help allay their fears. Start by helping them organize their school work. Take an active interest in the subjects they like and dislike. But make sure you ask your teen daily if they have homework, need help with their homework and ask to see it. That’s the only way you’ll know if they comprehend the work, are struggling with the work, and most importantly if they are doing the work. By all means if they need help get them a tutor.
Cary Quashen is a high-risk teen counselor and the president and founder of Action Parent & Teen Support Group Programs, the Zone (Santa Clarita’s newest teen center), and Action Family Counseling. He can be reached by calling 1-800-367-8336. The Action Parent & Teen Support Group Program meets at Canyon High School Tuesday evenings, beginning at 7 p.m. in the A Building.