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Heading back to School or College?

 

As the school year begins, it’s totally normal for your child to feel a mix of excitement, nerves, and maybe even a little dread. Whether they are starting a new school, heading into their final year, just starting University or just trying to find their rhythm again, here’s some ways you can support them;

🧠 Mental Health Matters

Education can be stressful. Between homework, social events, clubs and working part time it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here are a few ways to help them protect their mental health:

  • Take breaks: Rest is productive, this doesn’t mean they are being lazy if they come in from school and need to rest.
  • Talk:  There will be times when you ask, how was your day and they reply with the usual one-word answers, “fine”, “boring”, ” okay”, “awful”.
  • Encourage them to talk about their day when they aren’t so tired. Straight after school/college may not be the right time as they are likely to want to rest and forget about it.
  • Help them be organised: A planner or app can help them keep track of assignments, deadlines, rehearsals etc and reduce anxiety. Ask them for a copy of their timetable so you can help support them.
  • Be patient: Transitions can be difficult and create feelings of uncertainty, help remind them they are doing their best, and that’s enough. You may see some changes in their behaviour whilst they are learning to adapt to a new environment.

👯‍♀️ Friendships

Friendships can make education feel a lot more manageable. Ask your child who they are friends with. If they are unsure ask them to look for people who:

  • Make them laugh
  • Respect their boundaries
  • Share common interests
  • Share values
     
If they are struggling to form friendships encourage them to join extracurricular activities or see if the school offer a peer mentor service. What if their friendships change? It’s okay if their circle of friends change. Growth sometimes means outgrowing people—and that’s part of life.
 
What if I don’t like their friendship group? Allow them to make their own choices and consider why you may not like them?
Ask your child what they like about them rather than criticising them, encourage your child to be independent and make their own choices, to follow their own values and to have clear boundaries with friends where they can say no.
 

📚 Reduce pressure, help them to study smarter, Not harder

Help your child create a study plan and ensure they know that you don’t have to spend hours buried in books to succeed. Try these tips:

  • Break tasks into smaller chunks
  • Have rest breaks
  • Keep well fuelled 
  • Use active recall 
  • Ask if they want to go over what they have learnt
  • Reduce external pressures such as household chores during busy, stressful times
  • Ensure they know perfection isn’t a goal and that you are there to support them

💬 Final Thoughts

Ensure you child knows you are there to support them.

Manage Expectations, help them to;
  • Be kind to themselves
  • Keep routines
  • Focus on progress, not just results.
  • Learn to say “no” to things when they are feeling overwhelmed.

  • Know you love them whatever their results 

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