September: Back to School

Source: Newport Academy

Teenagers react to structure in different ways. Many thrive on it and look forward to the start of the school year. For some, letting go of summer’s spontaneity is especially hard. Planning for the transition back to school makes the experience smoother for everyone. Here are tips families can use to get back into the school routine. 

Tip #1: Create a Schedule and Share It
For most teenagers, organization isn’t a strong suit. That’s because their brains are still developing, along with their executive functioning skills. But it’s important for teens to understand how to use their time appropriately. Before the school year begins, parents should talk with their teens about their schedule—not just their morning schedule and school schedule, but their after-school schedule, too. Tip #2: Wake Up and Go to Bed at Set Times
Generally speaking, teenagers need eight to 10 hours of sleep each night. But research shows that up to 70 percent of high school students sleep less than seven hours per night. Chronic sleep deprivation can negatively affect teenagers’ mental well-being and hinder their ability to concentrate. Teenagers with a set bedtime schedule are more likely to get adequate rest. And that means they have more energy to perform at school.

Tip #3: Limit Teens’ Screen Time
Another way to ensure that teens get enough sleep is to limit their screen time, especially in the evenings. When teens are on their screens right before bed, they tend to feel less sleepy.

Tip #4: Eat Regular Meals as a Family
Life usually gets a whole lot busier when school starts. With kids juggling homework, extracurricular activities, and time with friends, it’s hard to gather the whole family together for evening meals. While it may be challenging to eat together every night, blocking off time to connect as a family around the dinner table is well worth it.

Tip #5: Work Downtime into the Routine
Living in a culture that prizes activity, many teens juggle daily routines that are chock-full of demanding classes, extracurricular activities, homework, maybe even a part-time job or college prep workshop. There’s value in productivity. But overscheduled teens can also feel exhausted and overwhelmed. Everyone needs time to unwind and recharge. Downtime is a healthy form of stress relief.

Tip #6: Make Sure There’s Time to Move
The benefits of exercise are well-known. First, it’s a huge stress reliever. It’s also been shown to bolster academic performance, improve sleep, and reduce symptoms of depression in both young children and teenagers.

Tip #7: Help Teens Get Organized
Some teenagers are diligent about organizing their assignments and keeping track of their responsibilities. Others may need help establishing regular routines for studying and finding the right methods for organization. To figure out what tools a teen needs, start with a discussion. Talk with them about which subjects require more time. Help them decide if they need to rearrange their schedule as a result. They may realize they need to replace some extracurricular activities with academic responsibilities. If tools and parent support aren’t working, explore the possibility of a tutor or an academic coach.

Tip #8: Practice Gratitude
In the fall, the pace of life intensifies and everyone’s to-do list grows. Hence, it’s helpful for families and teens to slow down and take a few moments each day to practice gratitude. Many studies have proven that expressing appreciation for what’s good in your life boosts happiness and other positive emotions. In addition, the practice of gratitude helps teens build resilience.