End of the School Year Stress

With the end of the school year approaching, older students can become very anxious or defeated in regards to their school work. There is often a push in the last month to make up for their late work, finish state testing, complete projects, and study for finals. Kids often become overwhelmed with the immensity of what's at hand and this can show in a multitude of ways. Some kids may show their overwhelm with anger, others may melt down over school work, and still others might procrastinate to cope. When we see our kids struggling, we as parents and caregivers can help give them the support that they need.

In a culture that tells our kids that they are defined by their grades, we can counter this by making sure they know that they are loved and that we are proud of them regardless of how the school year turns out. We can encourage them to take breaks, take care of their physical and mental health, and we can be a sounding board for their emotions. Sometimes teenagers can become so hyper-focused that they need help to de-catastrophize the thoughts in their heads. This can be through helping them step back from the assignment or the test to see the big picture. Their future, and their whole life, is not defined by one grade or one final. When we help our teens to de-catastrophize their thoughts, their anxiety can calm and this helps them to focus and do better at the task at hand. There can be a fear, by both teens and adults, that pulling back the pressure gives teens the freedom to slack off. However, giving them some grace can actually calm their nerves and give them the peace they need to stay focused and remember what they studied.

We can also support our students in practical ways, such as making sure they get enough food, encouraging them to get sleep instead of studying all night long, and giving grace for things such as chores or normative expectations during finals week. Modeling a balance of expectations along with grace can help our students become better humans, roommates, and future spouses as they see how they are cared for during challenging circumstances.

It’s incredibly important for our students to know that while school is important, it is not the only or most important thing about them. If we celebrate our teens for all their wonderful traits throughout the year, and also during finals season, we can help validate a fuller identity in them and give them confidence during the hard end of the year season.