4 Things to Say to a Stressed Out Teenager

1) Life is not over if you do not do well.

If your child fails to obtain the score they needed to enter the University of their choice, life is not over.

They have not ‘failed’ in any way.

They have achieved a full 13 years of schooling and are ready to enter the adult world. There are so many options they can explore, none of which is inferior just because they are not what they initially wanted to achieve. I did a terrible job on my first lot of TEE exams, only to repeat Yr 12 and still miss my desired score by 10 points. I took advantage of an offer of a Uni prep course and entered into my degree 6 months later. There are always options.

2) There are things more important than a score or a rank.

Ask any of the whiz kids you see on the news that have achieved the highest scores in the state, and they will tell you it’s all about balance.

Much like adults thrive on a work-life balance, teenagers need a study-life balance to feel refreshed and motivated.

Encourage your teenager to take a break from studying and get out into the fresh air, catch up with friends for a bit, or play a sport, and make sure their diet is top-notch for maximum energy levels. Your social life may still be there when exams are over, but it’s important to take a step back from the study and remember what is waiting for them when they have finished with exams.

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

See Full Bio