Starting high school

Moving on to high school can be either a very exciting, or very daunting prospect for your child. While some children can’t wait to be part of a more adult environment where they’re more accountable, others can feel anxious about being a small fish in a very big pond, again.

New school stress:

Even the keenest student will take some adjusting to his new school’s daily routines, the work load and the school’s expectations. There are sure to be one or two bumps along the way which may cause some stress.

Your child may feel:

• disorientated by the new schedule and environment
• sad about leaving his old school and his old friends
• anxious about not knowing the expectations of his new school
• worried that he won’t make new friends and won’t fit into the new school environment
• concerned that he won’t meet his parent’s expectations
• overwhelmed by everything he has to take on board at the new school
• Your child may show his stress by:
• being grumpy and disagreeable
• avoiding talking to you about how he feels
• wanting you to treat him as an adult, and then needing to be treated like a child acting ‘cool’ or ‘tough’
• not wanting to go to school
• regularly complaining of head aches or stomach aches

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This article was written by Ella Walsh for Kidspot

Sources include S.A. Govt’s Parenting and Child Health and NSW Govt’s NSW Public Schools