Parenting Tips: 7 Ways to Help Teens Succeed in High School

Life constantly changes, and entering High School is considered one of the biggest changes for teens. It’s not easy transitioning to a new social environment, especially with so much outside pressure and all the emotions that come along on the journey to finding yourself. Embracing the following parenting tips can help your child achieve teen success and improve their mental health during this time.

1. Create a “Check In” 

When life is busy, remembering to check in about everyday things can fall to the side. It could be something as small as needing to restock some shampoo, or as big as forgetting to sign a test or make a deposit for an extracurricular activity.

When you have a weekly or daily check-in scheduled with your teen, this creates not only an atmosphere for practicing calm reminders, but keeps everyone on top of things that need to get done. Whether you are a parent or teen, keeping track of everything that needs to get done and checking in on each other fosters a sense of safety. The act of collaboration not only teaches structure but also trust within each other [5].

2. Elevate their Self-Esteem  

With social media, it’s easier than ever for teenagers to get caught up in societal pressures. Wanting to jump on trends or have a certain aesthetic to fit in is tempting, especially when High School is all about discovering your personality.

During this phase, it’s important to remind your teenager how much they are worth and how it isn’t dictated by “fitting in”. You can do this by using positive affirmations, praising their accomplishments, and making sure to consistently remind them what they are doing well.

Related: Low Self-Esteem & Teen Substance Abuse

3. Foster Creativity  

Creativity is the center of happiness. There is creative energy everywhere, even in things we don’t always recognize as creativity. From a well-written dialogue in a movie, playing instruments, to building things from scratch, beautifully curated items in a store, and even well-curated TikToks.

Encouraging your teen to foster their creativity is not only a gift but a great outlet for stress. They can explore drawing, writing, pottery, dancing, or any creative outlet they are drawn to.  

4. Support Them with Studying 

Studying tends to be an ongoing pain point when it comes to teenagers and school. The amount of homework varies per school, but across the board studying is overwhelming. If you add in a teen being in extracurricular activities and trying to make time for friends, or family, it’s increasingly difficult with the homework load.

Make sure to not only check in on your teen’s homework but also see if they need help studying to help prevent them from falling behind [2]. If you can catch any issues in their studying, you can take action by finding them a tutor or assisting them with learning different study styles. This simple support could help your teen successfully complete high school feeling motivated and confident.

5. Teach Proper Nutrition  

In a fast-paced world, we have become accustomed to fast food. Not only drive-thru fast food, but also foods we may not consider as fast food including the ultra-processed snacks and foods we have in our homes. This means understanding and educating your teen on what a balanced diet is, showing your teens quick and easy snacks that ensure they get proper nutrition, and trying to keep fresh food in the house [4].

The more they learn about nutrition; the quicker they’ll understand how to nourish themselves and stay full longer during their busy days at school. 

Related: How Nutrition Impacts Your Mental Health

6. Ensure They Are Getting Good Sleep 

Sleep is one of the most important elements to function properly in our day to day. Most teens have trouble going to sleep on time, especially with wanting to catch up on their favorite show or doom scroll on Tiktok. It’s important to try and limit screen time for your teens in the evening so they can get a full night’s sleep before school.

When they get all the sleep they need, they can pay closer attention in class, be more efficient in extracurricular activities, and have an overall boost in their mood and mental health [1]. 

7. Consider Therapy 

If your teen is experiencing stretches of depression, isolation, and negative self-talk, it might be time to reach out to a professional. Therapy can be a great tool to help your teen navigate their mental health while going through High School. They’ll have a space where they can freely share, create goals and, if open to it, enter family therapy to work through any issues within that dynamic.

Therapy is a common, accessible tool that can make a big difference in your child’s life, offering unparalleled support for their well-being during tumultuous and emotional times [3]. 

Seek Professional Help When Necessary 

If your teen is struggling with their mental well-being and needs extra support from a professional, check out Clear Behavioral Health’s teen mental health treatment program. We offer partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) for teens, which include one-on-one psychotherapy, family therapy, group therapy, case management, and holistic therapy like art therapy, academic assistance, and more.

How can Clear Behavioral Health help? 

• Our teen IOP offers a structured environment that will create a sense of safety for your teen where they will engage in regular therapy and take steps toward healing during every session. 
• If your teen is struggling in school, our clinical experts can match them up with a tutor who will help them with time management and work towards improving their grades.  
• During group therapy, they’ll be able to build social skills alongside other teens, and foster relationships with new friends going through a similar experience, helping them understand they are not alone in their mental health journey.
• At times, the entire family may be struggling to come together as one and help their teen succeed. That’s why Clear Behavioral Health offers family therapy, to heal the family unit as one, and build a strong, healthy dynamic throughout the whole family

Our experienced clinical team provides exceptional care to help teens struggling with their mental health tap into their bright futures while living healthy and wonderful lives. We have teen treatment programs conveniently located throughout the Los Angeles, CA area including El Segundo, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, and more. If you would like to learn more about the treatments we offer, contact us today.

References  

1. Children’s Minnesota. (2024, September 27). _EducationMaterialsFrame – Children’s Minnesota. Children’s Minnesota. https://www.childrensmn.org/educationmaterials/parents/article/14770/10-ways-to-help-your-teen-succeed-in-high-school/
2. Centerstone.org. (2022, September 29). 7 Ways to Support Teen Self-Esteem – Centerstone. Centerstone. https://centerstone.org/our-resources/health-wellness/7-ways-to-support-teen-self-esteem/
3. 10 Ways to help your teen Succeed in High School (for parents). (n.d.). https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/school-help-teens.html
4. Families, L. F. (2024, February 27). 7 Ways to support your child’s education. Landmarks for Families. https://landmarksforfamilies.org/7-ways-to-support-your-childs-education/
5. Boys & Girls Clubs of America. (2024, June 25). Student Success: 5 Ways Parents & Caregivers Can Help – Boys & Girls Clubs of America. https://www.bgca.org/news-stories/2023/August/student-success-ways-parents-and-caregivers-can-help/