Hello Bay Community!
We hope you had a restful break! Even though we are weeks away from the end of this semester, there is still work to do, which can feel especially daunting to students after having had a week off. I remember when I was in high school and we had a break, coming back to more work seemed almost impossible. With finals approaching, this can be a lot.
Dr. Lisa Damour, our favorite teen specialist speaks to why this semester in particular, teenagers are especially tired on her instagram page:
Under normal conditions, each school year helps students build capacity to do more and harder work than in previous years (think strength training). There was no slack in this system *before* the pandemic.
No school was able (or even should have tried) to keep academic capacity building at typical levels during the height of the pandemic.
This means that high schoolers are trying to lift eleventh grade work (for example), with mid-ninth or tenth grade muscles.
Add to that the fact that, for many students, it’s hard to say no to any social opportunities. They feel like they missed out (because they did) and are eager to make up for lost time. Under normal conditions, they might pace themselves, go out less, stay home more.
Add to that the sadness, frustration, stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic itself - which, of course, is still ongoing.
So how can we help?
Remember - empathy goes far. Just acknowledging these realities helps students feel better.
Explain *why* academics feel like such a heavy lift right now. It’s hard for teens to have a perspective on the typical trajectory of middle school work.
Don’t underestimate how much teens appreciate small gestures of support. Ideas: offer to pack them snacks, let them off dishwashing duty when they’re swamped with homework, send a supportive/funny text.
Express confidence that your teen will get through this hard time. “It will all come out in the wash,” you might say, “but this is just the first rinse cycle”.
Ask for help, and encourage your teen to ask for help, if needed. Remind them they are so close to the finish line!
You’re almost there!
M I N D
Quiet, cognitive breaks are shown to improve memory. (hint: think mindfulness). But even a quiet moment with eyes shut was said to have lasting benefits.
B O D Y
Our bodies also benefit from regular breaks, as our minds do.
S O U L