Managing the end of school term without burnout for you or your teen

As we gear up and head into the final school term, this means it’s exam time. No matter the age or year level of your teen, it can be a stressful time.

You might have noticed your teen is facing or experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and anxiety. This can all be intense, but it can also be an exciting time of what’s next for your teen and the challenges that come with that.

There might also be a mixture of excitement for the summer holidays over the horizon and the exhaustion from a long school year.

As parents and carers, it’s so important for us to understand and support our teens through this period. And take care of ourselves too. So, to help you through the final school term, without the burnout for you or your teen, we’ve put together some top survival tips.

Parent survival tips – for the final run-up to the end of term

One of the biggest challenges during the final school term is the stress and worry that exams bring. Our teens feel the pressure to perform well and this can lead to sleepless nights, nerves on edge and a rollercoaster of emotions.

1) Stick to routines

Help your teen to create a study schedule that has breaks and rest periods. Help them to create a timetable. A suggestion is to help them break down tasks into manageable tasks – bit by bit.

As a parent or carer, do not get out of routine yet (as the holiday break is up ahead). Believe it or not teens thrive on routine and rules- it provides them with a safe, consistent space. As best you can, stick to morning and afternoon schedules (including the sport/extracurricular pickups).  

2) Patience

It’s most likely your teen will be showing signs of tiredness. Assignments and exams are looming, or they’re right in the thick of it. Remember to spend time talking and listening to your teens about how their day was. Supporting them through any issues they may be experiencing and showing patience will show that you’ve got their backs and help to boost their confidence.

3) Listening 

We encourage active listening here at Parent Connections. This means the simple and powerful act of just listening to your teen. Let them vent; let them talk through how they are feeling while you just listen. And the key to this is: don’t offer any solutions as they vent. It’s about your teen just being heard.

4) Itemising anxieties

Many of our worries are caused by a lack of readiness. Your teen may be feeling anxious about next year – a new teacher, a new classroom. For children who are transitioning into high school, they might be feeling emotional about leaving old friends. Feelings of frustration might result in anger, tantrums or meltdowns.

Help your teen to recognise and name any worries – this can be calming and help your child.

5) Take a breath count to 10

This one can make all the difference when communicating with your teen.

This is for you: take a breath and count to ten before you engage in an argument or into a meltdown with your teen.

This can mean saying to your teen ‘Just give me a moment’ before you comment and then take a breath and internally count to 10. Or if it’s particularly heated, ask for a moment and walk into another room as you take that breath and count to 10.

Breathing and counting is a way to pause and de-escalate the situation. It’s a moment of emotional regulation as you can calm your mind and body.

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The final school term with exams can be a challenging period. But with your understanding, support, and effective communication, you can help your teen to thrive and succeed.

Remember, it’s not just about the grades; it’s about nurturing your teenager’s overall well-being and helping them build the skills they need to face future challenges with confidence.