7 Ways to Help Your Teen Cope at a New School

If you’ve recently moved to a new city or your teen has just started high school, then you’ll need to help them adjust to the situation. The first weeks at a new school can be a daunting experience, particularly if they’ve had to leave all their old friends behind. Transitions such as these can be very beneficial, however, and it will give them the skills they’ll need to adapt to new situations later in life. Be positive and encouraging with your teen in a new school and try to get into a healthy routine as soon as possible. Here are seven ways to help your teen adjust. 

Explain how change can be positive

This is no different from when you had to prepare for the first day of pre-school. Starting a new school is always going to be a bit of a shock to the system for your child. If you have moved to a new city, explain to your child your reasons behind this. Try to maintain a positive attitude, and explain the benefits of a fresh start. It might be difficult for your teen to understand at first, but it will be good for them in the long run. 

Encourage extra-curricular activities

Get them back into the swing of things by encouraging extra-curricular activities. The weather doesn’t have to get in the way as there are plenty of fun winter activities for teens. If they took part in a particular sport or hobby at their old school, help them take it up again. Alternatively, you could use it as an opportunity for them to try something completely new. Listen to their ideas and help them find the right activity for them.

Give them their independence

Whereas they’ll need your support at times, sometimes it’s better to give them their independence. Teenagers are mature enough to make their own choices about friends and activities. If you’re concerned you could always track their phone while they’re out. You can use parental controls, track their location, and here’s how you can monitor text messages. This way, you can ensure their safety without the need to constantly breathe down their neck. Teens appreciate a little freedom, so it’s important to find the right balance.

Network with other parents

If you’re looking for advice on how to help your teenagers cope at the new school you could network with other parents. Find out more about the school and see if other parents have any helpful suggestions. You might even make some new friends yourself. Otherwise, you can find plenty of information from online parenting resources. 

Help them make new friends

Encourage ways your teen can make new friends. This might be through extra-curricular activities such as clubs and sports. If the school year is already underway, speak to the staff and find out if you can still enroll your child. One of teens’ biggest concerns is not making friends at a new school, so it’s important to be sympathetic about this. If they are still in touch with their old friends encourage this as well. Be a little more lenient with their use of social media and invite their old friends to your home for a visit.

Listen to their concerns

It’s also necessary to listen to your teen about any other concerns they may have. These could be to do with academic achievement or their social life at the new school. Ensure you maintain healthy communication with them at all times. This can sometimes bit a little more challenging, so here are some expert tips for talking with teens. Most of the time it’s about developing mutual respect and making an effort to really listen to each other.

Embrace a healthy routine

Try to embrace and stick to a healthy routine. Even though it may be difficult for your teen to cope at first, don’t let them use this as an excuse not to focus on their studies. It’ll be easier for them to adjust if they get straight back into their academic career. The quicker you can get back into a normal routine the easier it’ll be for them to cope with the transition. 

Adjusting to change is an important skill your teen will need in the future. Encourage them to see this as a positive experience that they will learn from. In time, they will be able to cope with the new situation. Changing schools isn’t easy for some children but in the long run, they will benefit from it.

Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels

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