Spring term checklist for parents

Whether your teen is in Year 10, 11, 12 or 13, the spring term is the most intensive of the academic year. Run through our checklist to see how they're getting on. They've lived through a term in this year group already, so there may be changes you can both make to improve their daily routine and make life easier.

Subject check

If your teen is in Year 10 or 12, they'll have started new subjects in September. Now is the time to see whether they're finding these subjects manageable or difficult. If they're struggling, there's a chance to speak to their subject teacher about the steps they can take to get a better understanding. If they're not enjoying them at all, it might be possible to make some changes and switch to something different.

For those with teens in Year 11 or 13, final exams are coming up in May. If your teen is finding it unmanageable to keep on track with all their subjects, would their overall results improve by dropping one? This might give them more time to focus on other subjects and, ultimately, get better grades in the ones they find easier.

Whatever year your teen is in, there may be other options. For example, the school might offer support sessions outside the classroom where they could get extra help. Or you may consider private tutoring. A few dedicated sessions with a specialist could give your teen the key to information and techniques that click into place and help everything make sense.

Being equipped

At the start of September you probably helped make sure your teen had everything they needed for the new year: uniform or clothes, stationery, laptop or tablet, phone, and any special equipment. Has this worked out? Is there anything missing? If so, can you help them make adjustments before the new term gets underway?

Do they have too much? Lugging around things they don't need each day isn't helpful either. It can be tiring carrying heavy bags, and rummaging through clutter to find what they need could make them feel disorganised and overwhelmed. Now they know what's useful (and what's not), are they able to organise themselves more effectively?

Timetables

School timetables are carefully planned, but sometimes co-curricular or extra-curricular activities can leave your teen short on time when it comes to completing homework ahead of the next lesson. They should have created a homework timetable in the autumn term. Now they're more familiar with their routine, they can adjust it to suit them better. For example, if they're very busy on certain evenings, it makes sense to allocate more time for homework over the weekend, and vice versa. If they haven't created a homework timetable, now is the time to do it.

Knowing when they should be putting in time to achieve their goals will also help them plan their free time more productively, whether that's for doing things they enjoy or resting.

Teens in Year 11 and 13 need to make time for revision. They'll have a better chance of exam success if they go over work little and often in the lead up to exams, instead of cramming at the end of term. Help them build in some revision time, but make it realistic. A short amount of focused time is far better than allocating big chunks they can't achieve.

Routines

Now that your teen has finished a term in their new year, how are their routines working out? Have they settled into a comfortable rhythm that balances work and play, and doesn't leave them over-stretched and over-tired? Things to consider are:

Sleep

Sleep is probably the single most important factor in wellbeing. Lack of sleep will make your teen irritable, unable to concentrate, less likely to eat and drink the right things, and more at risk of picking up illnesses.

It's fine for your teen to have late nights occasionally. However, most of the time they should have a fixed bedtime and getting-up time. Help them achieve this by making sure they go to bed early enough to get the right amount of sleep. Most teens need at least 8 or 9 hours, so they need to be in bed by 10pm to get up at 7am. Don't forget, they should include some relaxing time before bed so they can fall asleep.

Family time

Their studies are important, but not at the expense of enjoying family time. This includes days out and holidays together, but don't forget that short bursts of togetherness reinforce connections and provide security. Are you managing to have at least some meals together as a family each week? Do you regularly get time to sit down together, watch a film or programme, make plans, or just chat?

Increasing their independence

You'll want your teen to become more independent as they progress through their teenage years, so they're better prepared to cope on their own once they leave home. Are there things you can introduce to help with this? Are there small responsibilities they can take on that contribute to home life and give them a sense of ownership? This might include making their own way to and from school on some days, now that they know the way and are familiar with their routine.

Celebrating success

Improving a routine involves evaluating the current way of doing things and suggesting changes. It can be tempting to overlook things that are working well, as those don't require adjustment. However, we all appreciate hearing praise for things we're doing that are working out. Don't forget to highlight these as you work with your teen to refine how they organise themselves.

Broadening their experience

So that your teen can grow and develop, they'll need to try new things. They may have been nervous to do this in September, unsure what their new academic year would involve, especially if they were starting Year 10 or 12. Talk to them about long-term goals or interests they'd like to develop. What steps can they take now to get on track? Help them put together a plan. For example, if they're interested in a career that involves writing or photography, is there a club or group they can join? If they want to improve their confidence, how about a debating society, public speaking forum or a new sport?

Whatever their future plans, they'll enhance their prospects if they gain some work experience. Can you help them find opportunities? Is there somewhere locally they can volunteer? They may need to contact several organisations before they're successful, and this can take time, so it's good to start planning ahead.

Final words

New terms are a great reminder to check that your teen's day-to-day routine not only supports their mental and physical wellbeing, but is also helping them move towards the future they dream of. If changes are needed, they don't all have to be made at once, but great journeys start with the first step.

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