5 Ways To Prevent High School Burnout
June 2, 2020
Tips On How To Prevent Burnout In High School
Have you noticed that your child appears to be demotivated and even anxious? Whilst this might be due to the pandemic, it could also be a sign of high school burnout. With an increased focus on online learning over this period, it’s possible that your child might be feeling the pressure. With academic and school burnout presenting a very real threat to the wellbeing of your teen, here’s how you can recognise and prevent it.
How to spot it:
If you know what to look for, it’s fairly easy to flag before it starts to negatively impact your child. Should your teenager be struggling with this kind of burnout, you might notice that:
- They have no motivation when it comes to schoolwork.
- They appear and feel exhausted even if they’ve slept well.
- They are irritable and sometimes lash out at those around them.
- They seem less confident in themselves and can’t concentrate.
- They complain of headaches or muscle pains.
- They are less creative and less likely to meet their deadlines.
- They get sick more often or feel anxious and depressed.
- They’ve lost interest in the things they used to enjoy previously.
- They’ve taken to bad habits like later bed times, nail biting or even eating badly.
Getting a handle on it
Where burnout is concerned, there’s a lot you can do both as a parent and as a family to ensure that your child comes through this rough patch. With a little patience and a lot of love, your teen will soon be back to their old, happy self again.
1) Reshuffle the schedule to include things they love
Yes, children thrive on routine but in times of burnout, they need to have a few spontaneous activities to bring back their spark. When you add these into their normal school week, they’ll start to feel a bit more motivated. This could be a session in the kitchen, a walk around the neighbourhood or even a craft.
2) Make sure they’re exercising
Exercise is a fantastic way to mitigate the impact of stress. This makes it an optimal tool for dealing with burnout. It’ll also help your child get outdoors, allowing them to reap the benefits of fresh air and vitamin D. Aim for short sessions of activity at least three times a week.
3) Encourage them to stay social
When your child is burned out, they can become withdrawn. As a result, they pull back from friends and those who can help them feel better. By making time for friends and family, they can get their positivity back and spend time with those who bring out the best in them.
4) Avoid procrastinating at all costs
They might be feeling down but procrastination
is certainly going to make your teen feel worse. Wherever possible, help them stay on track with deadlines
so that they can still get the satisfaction of delivering what they need to. It’ll also help them keep their routines in place, whilst preventing additional pressure and stress.
5) Create safe, open channels of communication
If your child ignores their emotions, they’ll only continue to get the better of them. Creating a safe space for them to talk
about their experiences will allow them to express themselves. It’ll also ensure you can help them. Make sure your child isn’t bottling things up and promote them sharing their emotions. Lead by example and share yours so that they know it’s normal to do so.
At Abbotts College, we keep the best interests of your child at heart so that they can be the best versions of themselves. Our mentoring system allow students to receive one on one guidance from their mentor teacher. To read more on us and our schools, please click below.
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As the preliminary and final examinations approach, both students and parents or guardians often experience heightened anxiety and stress. This guide provides practical strategies to help parents and guardians support their children through this critical phase of their academic journey. 1. Foster Effective Organization Create an environment conducive to studying by providing a quiet, well-lit study space equipped with essential stationery. Collaborate with your child to develop a structured study timetable to set clear expectations and promote disciplined preparation. Encourage the use of resources such as past question papers, which serve as valuable tools for revision and practice. 2. Maintain Daily Check-Ins Schedule regular, intentional conversations, such as during dinner, to discuss your child’s progress. Inquire about their experience with the day’s examination paper, adherence to their study schedule, and their feelings about upcoming tests. These check-ins foster open communication and allow you to gauge their emotional and academic state. 3. Minimize Distractions Help your child stay focused by keeping electronic devices like phones, tablets, and gaming consoles out of reach during study sessions. Set boundaries on screen time and social media access to prevent procrastination. While challenging, limiting Wi-Fi access during study hours can significantly enhance productivity. 4. Support Emotional Awareness Encourage your child to identify and articulate their emotions, such as anxiety, stress, or fatigue . Recognizing these feelings is the first step toward addressing them effectively. Discuss coping strategies to help them navigate emotional challenges during this period. 5. Teach Self-Regulation Techniques Guide your child in practicing self-regulation to manage stress. Techniques include: Breathing Exercises : Inhale deeply for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and repeat. Sensory Focus : Identify five things they can see or hear to ground themselves in the moment. Tactile Stimulation : Hold a cold object to shift focus and reduce anxiety. These methods can help your child regain calm and focus during stressful moments. 6. Promote a Balanced Routine Prolonged study sessions late into the night can lead to burnout. Monitor your child’s study habits and encourage breaks to maintain balance. Plan activities such as outings with friends, a family meal, or short recreational periods with access to devices. Engaging in non-academic activities, like helping prepare dinner, can provide a refreshing change of focus. 7. Prioritize Self-Care Support your child’s well-being by ensuring they: Eat nutritious, regular meals. Get at least eight hours of sleep by limiting screen time before bed. Engage in physical activities such as walking, jogging, yoga, dancing, or gym workouts. These practices help alleviate stress and anxiety, which are common during examination periods. 8. Practice Empathy and Patience The examination period can be emotionally taxing for both students and parents. Approach your child with empathy, actively listening and offering guidance without criticism. This fosters a supportive environment, bolstering their mental health and sense of inclusion. By implementing these strategies, parents and guardians can play a pivotal role in helping their children navigate the challenges of examinations with confidence and resilience. Good luck to all the Grade 12 students with the upcoming examinations - you most certainly can do it!
