The Transition to High School: Why It Matters and How Parents Can Help
By Emily M. May, PhD
Everyone experiences important transitions throughout their life, and these transitions help shape development. One such transition is the transition to high school. Some youth thrive when they enter high school, while others may have difficulty adjusting.
For most youth, entering high school is a “mixed bag” that brings exciting new opportunities as well as stressful new challenges. We know from developmental research that the transition to high school is a critical period that can magnify both positive and negative influences. This transition can also give youth a chance to reset.
For parents and caregivers, it can be helpful to understand why the transition to high school matters, as well as ways to support their teen during this unique time.
What makes the transition to high school such a critical period?
The transition to high school can be stressful, but it can also bring opportunities for growth. Youth experience many changes in a relatively short window of time before, during, and after the start of high school:
Academic challenges.
Coursework may become more difficult, and teachers may expect more independence from students. Further, high school often introduces greater variety via academic “tracks.” As a result, youth may be juggling more academically, but they may also enjoy the opportunity to explore their academic interests.
Reorganization of peer groups.
Mixing with students from multiple middle schools or junior high schools can be a chance to make new friends and find a “niche.” Meeting new peers can also pose challenges. Some youth may experience periods of feeling left out. In other cases, behavior problems could increase if youth who are already prone to risky behaviors make friends who have similar behavior concerns.
Changes in routine.
Entering high school often means navigating a new and larger building and relying on a new mode of transportation. Teens will meet a new team of school staff and learn new online systems. All of these changes can disrupt existing routines.
Developmental changes.
Early adolescence is a time of physical, social, and cognitive changes. Most youth will have begun puberty by the time they enter high school. Identity development also becomes relevant in early adolescence, meaning that youth are grappling with their place in the world. These experiences, though normal, can magnify social and emotional challenges.
How can parents help teens find their stride across the transition to high school?
For better or worse, parents do not have control over many aspects of the transition to high school. However, parents still play a key role in youth’s adjustment. Here are ways you can help:
Establish routines.
Help your teen develop daily routines, including homework and sleep routines. Routines can help provide consistency despite the many changes happening.
Visit the school.
Setting foot inside the school before day one is an important way for youth to visualize themselves succeeding there. Take advantage of any in-person orientations or chances to visit. Attending a sporting event, play, or concert at the school can also help the first day feel less overwhelming.
Discuss class selection.
High school typically offers more options for academic “tracks” and electives. Understanding the options can help you and your teen advocate for a courseload that matches their goals. If changes need to be made to your teen’s schedule, it is often easiest to make them early in the year or semester.
Explore extracurricular activities.
Compared to middle schools, high schools generally offer more sports teams, fine arts curricula, and organizations. Encourage your teen to explore these activities. Participating an activity can be a great way to foster a sense of belonging and meet peers with similar interests.
Encourage self-advocacy.
Parents can remain involved while encouraging their teen to reach out for help on their own. Encouraging your teen to speak for themselves can help them develop confidence and age-appropriate communication skills.
Monitor social interactions.
Even as youth develop greater independence, it is still important for parents to know where and with whom their young teen is. Parents may find they need to “create” opportunities to meet new peers from high school, such as by allowing teens to invite friends over or by asking to meet new friends when dropping off their teen at an activity.
Adjust your own expectations.
Perhaps the advanced course is not going as expected, or the sports team is not working out as planned. Remind yourself that bumps in the road are normal. It can also help to keep the big picture in mind and remember that your teen’s overall wellbeing is more important than any particular milestone, even if it means their high school experience may be different than you had imagined.
Listen to your teen’s feelings.
It is certainly not always easy to get a teen to open up. But when they do share, avoid minimizing their concerns (e.g., avoid saying, “You shouldn’t feel that way,” or “Just don’t worry about it.”). Many parents also try to help solve their teens’ problems, but problem-solving can actually get in the way of listening (as illustrated by this brief but humorous video). Instead, focus on understanding and validating your teen’s emotions. The more they feel heard, the more likely they will continue sharing with you in the future.
Reach out for help when needed. If you sense your teen needs support, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. If your teen has more than the typical back-to-school jitters, if they have changes in their mood or behavior, or if they are having a hard time getting along with others, these may be signs that they are struggling. Bradley Hospital can help connect your teen with the right level of care. The clinicians at Bradley REACH understand school-based emotional and behavioral concerns, and we regularly support families with school-based communication as part of our treatment program.
Get Mental Health Care
We’d love to connect you or someone you know with mental health care. To refer a child/teen/adolescent or yourself, please call (877) 992-2422 or click here to make a referral. Bradley REACH’s expert teams of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and nurses provide intensive mental health care and therapy to teams and families, virtually, in New England, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Florida.
DISCLAIMER:
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you or your child are in crisis or experiencing mental health problems please seek the advice of a licensed clinician or call 988 or Kids Link in Rhode Island.
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