School–we all go through it, it’s just a part of life. For some, the typical school system doesn’t rub them the right way or give them the level of support they need to thrive, leading to disruptive behaviors. For a teenager struggling in school, this seems like the only way to cope.
Fights, skipping class, arguing with teachers, never turning in homework–these are all signs your teen may be having issues with school. First off, you’re not alone, many parents go through this. Secondly, your child is not a lost cause.
The myth of the “lost cause”
If you think back to your time in high school, you can probably remember at least one kid that your teachers and peers considered a “lost cause.” Someone that may drop out of school later or end up in jail. The school system failed this kid.
As a parent, it can feel like you have no options and that there’s nothing you can do to change your child’s bad behavior–but that’s not necessarily true.
Traditional settings don’t always work for every kid. Sometimes underlying issues–like trauma, undiagnosed learning disabilities, anxiety, etc.–can make school a difficult place to be. It can become a place of embarrassment and failure instead of a place of learning and support.
What you can do
There are ways you can help your teenager struggling in school. Many begin to spiral when they get stressed out and feel as if they have no control over the drama, grades, and demands of school.
Studies show that helping an individual think about what support and resources are available to them–just for studying–can drastically improve how they feel and perform on an exam. That may not sound like much, but it’s teaching them self-managing habits, which are incredibly important when it comes to maintaining emotions and working through difficult times.
So, simply sitting your teen down and letting them know that you’re there for support and guidance can be a big help in the way of stress.
If your child’s behavior is truly disruptive and you have no clue what’s wrong, it may be time for an assessment. Getting a screening for learning disabilities or mental health issues can shed light on why your child may be having issues in school. Hoping it will fix itself often leads to a bad outcome–instead, get ahead of the problem and work it out efficiently.
blueFire Wilderness can help your family
blueFire Wilderness is a wilderness therapy program for teens. We help troubled teens, ages 11 to 17, grappling with depression, ADHD, addiction, defiance, and other emotional or behavioral problems.
We understand that this is a difficult and confusing time for the whole family, but we’re here to guide your teenager struggling in school. At blueFire, we strive to help each client find their inner confidence and succeed.
For more information about how we can help a teenager struggling in school at blueFire Wilderness, please call 1 (844) 413-1999 today.