Stress at school is not just academic, however. Kids have to maintain their studies while participating in school activities, sports, working and nurturing friendships. It can be a tough load if you don’t know how to handle it. Many adults don’t have to juggle that much on a daily basis.
It is a common misconception that you have to be an adult to experience stress. But, stress is our reaction to situations in life, and it can happen at any age.
Tips to Manage Stress
Stay organized
From the beginning of the school year, make sure that your child is staying on top of their homework and other assignments. Keep a separate notebook for each class so nothing gets lost or misplaced.
Start early
If you have a project due in three weeks, waiting until the last week could pose a time crunch, especially if other assignments
are also due around that time. If you begin now while you have time, you can address any obstacles you might face and finish early. This can reduce the amount of worry you have to deal with.
Study a little each day
One way that many kids study is cramming. Sure, you will have all of your knowledge in your head for the exam but it will evaporate afterwards. That just means it will be harder to study for the next test if it builds on the information you have already learned. Instead, advise your child to read over their notes each night so that the information is still fresh in their mind.
Get a good night’s sleep
Sleep is a hard task for many students. With all of their activities, sleep time is usually cut short. Over time, lack of sleep can increase stress levels by decreasing concentration and memory retention. Try to set a specific bedtime each night so that they get at least eight to ten hours of sleep.
Talk to your child
When kids get stressed it helps to get them talking. Voicing your concerns allows others to offer suggestions for solving them. Armed with solutions, your child can better cope with whatever comes their way throughout the day.
Enlist the help of others
If your child is having trouble in a subject, find a tutor. Getting help at the beginning can avoid homework and exam stress.
Limit after-school activities
Colleges want to see well-rounded applicants, but too many activities can be counterproductive. Choose a couple that you like and concentrate on increasing participation instead of increasing the number of activities.
