Your child’s senior year of high school will be their busiest yet. Not only will they be managing applications, and completing their high school exams, but they’ll also be developing and socializing as young adults. There’s a lot going on, which can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety for teens.

As a parent, it’s your responsibility to help keep them on track with school, but you also need to be there to support them during the tough times and help them unwind. Here are some of the ways you can help them find the balance, helping them get to graduation and beyond. 

Help them plan their time

Time management is something most people struggle with, but if you teach it to kids early, they’ll adapt much better as adults when they’re responsible for their own schedules. The best way to do this is to help them plan a study schedule that will help your kid balance what they need to learn versus some of their other commitments. 

In between going to school, studying, jobs, hobbies and other commitments, make sure your child has some time off each week. This will help stop them from burning out, but it also gives them the chance to act their age for a bit too.

Ease up on the college pressure

Teens can feel enormous pressure when it comes to college applications. From taking on too many extracurriculars to additional study sessions – it can all become too much. This is where you need to think about what colleges really look for in an applicant, to help stop your kid from having to go above and beyond to get into college. 

Let them have some fun

Even though your teen is preparing for their future, they’re still just teenagers at the end of the day! High school should be a fun time when they’ll get to make a lot of memories, so don’t come down too hard on them for wanting to spend time with their friends. Help them find a balance that ensures they don’t let their work slip, but give them a little freedom and independence too. This will help them maintain a balance once they enter college, and hopefully won’t feel the need to rebel against school work or show up to class.

Encourage them to be healthy 

A healthy lifestyle is a must for keeping bodies and minds strong, and this can be a fantastic thing to do as a family to help you all stay healthy together, while supporting your teen. There are a lot of different things you can do to keep your family healthy, including eating a healthy diet and making sure you all spend some time exercising. It’s not always easy, but establishing a routine will help you all keep on track.

Don’t forget to help them develop a solid sleep routine. Sleep is important for everyone, but your teen should be aiming for at least 8 hours of sleep a night. This will help keep them sharp and focused, and stop them from falling asleep in class! Discourage late-night study, and prioritize working earlier instead.

Find ways to learn outside the classroom

Some teens can feel frustrated with the structure of classes. Not only can it be difficult to take in information, but the classroom might not always give them the space to explore their ideas freely. The good news is that there are ways they can learn outside the classroom, which could also help develop more independent thinking – a must for college and the working world. School and student group learning activities are great ways to encourage more immersive experiences, that could help your child understand different subjects better. Some other suggestions for learning outside the classroom include watching live performances, visiting museums, attending lectures and watching movies. There are a lot of different ways to learn, and finding something your teen responds to could help their studies, as well as help them maintain an interest in school.

Your kid’s final school years are a crucial time. It’s when they’ll develop in many ways, becoming young adults with responsibilities. Finishing high school is important, but it’s also important to help your kid find the right balance at this time so that they don’t become too overwhelmed or miss out on making memories with their friends and peers. It’s natural to want your child to succeed, but success comes in different shapes and forms. Help your child to be happy and healthy at this time, in addition to being a strong student, helping to get them to their graduation and the next exciting chapter of their lives.