New School Year: Tips for a Successful Start to High School and College

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New School Year: Tips for a Successful Start to High School and College

Alex Koupal • August 7, 2024

Tips to Support Your Young Adult or Teen Going Into the School Year.

As the new school year approaches, it's important to ensure that your teen or young adult feels prepared and confident as they embark on their journey through high school or college. The transition can be challenging, but with the right support and guidance, they can thrive both academically and personally. Here are some tips to help boost their confidence, avoid peer pressure, encourage a strong sense of self, set goals, and achieve academic success.

Boosting Confidence

Confidence is key to success in any new endeavor. Help your teen or young adult build self-esteem by focusing on their strengths and celebrating their achievements, no matter how small. Encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and try new activities or join clubs that interest them. Remind them that it's okay to make mistakes and that each challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. Positive reinforcement and consistent encouragement from you can make a significant difference in their confidence levels.

Avoiding Peer Pressure

Peer pressure can be a significant obstacle for teens and young adults. Equip them with strategies to handle peer pressure by discussing potential scenarios and appropriate responses. Encourage open communication so they feel comfortable sharing their experiences and seeking advice. Emphasize the importance of staying true to their values and making decisions that align with their personal beliefs. Help them build a strong support system of friends who respect their choices and encourage positive behavior.

Encouraging a Sense of Self

A strong sense of self is crucial for navigating the complexities of high school and college life. Encourage your teen or young adult to explore their interests and passions. Support their efforts to develop hobbies and engage in activities that bring them joy and fulfillment. Discuss their goals and aspirations, and help them understand that their unique qualities and perspectives are valuable. Encourage self-reflection and mindfulness practices to help them stay grounded and connected to their inner selves.

Encouraging Goals and Academic Success

Setting goals is an important part of achieving academic success. Help your teen or young adult set realistic and achievable goals for the school year. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps, and celebrate their progress along the way. Encourage them to stay organized by using planners or digital tools to keep track of assignments and deadlines. Promote effective study habits, such as creating a dedicated study space, taking regular breaks, and seeking help when needed.

Finding Professional Support

Sometimes, teens and young adults need additional support that isn't emotionally tied to them, such as a coach, counselor, therapist, or life coach. These professionals can provide unbiased guidance, helping them navigate personal and academic challenges effectively. A life coach, for instance, can assist them in setting goals, developing a plan of action, and staying motivated. A therapist or counselor can offer strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and other emotional hurdles. Finding the right professional support can make a significant difference in their overall well-being and success.

Building Resilience

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. Teach your teen or young adult the importance of resilience by modeling it yourself. Share stories of times when you faced difficulties and how you overcame them. Encourage them to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Help them develop problem-solving skills and a positive mindset, which will serve them well in both academic and personal endeavors.

Fostering Independence

High school and college are times for teens and young adults to develop independence. Support their efforts to take responsibility for their actions and decisions. Encourage them to manage their time effectively, balance their commitments, and seek help when needed. Provide guidance but allow them the space to make their own choices and learn from their experiences.

Supporting your teen or young adult as they start high school or college is crucial for their overall well-being and success. By boosting their confidence, helping them navigate peer pressure, encouraging a strong sense of self, and fostering goal-setting and academic success, you can empower them to thrive in this new chapter of their lives. Remember, your support and encouragement can make all the difference in their journey toward becoming confident, resilient, and successful individuals.

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Tiktok, Social Media & Teens: How to guide without just saying, "Get off your phone!"

By Alex Koupal • April 9, 2025

Let’s be real: telling teens to “get off your phone!” doesn’t work. Social media is part of their world. For our teens, social media is how they connect, learn, and express themselves. So how can we help them use it wisely without sounding and being the villain? There’s a way to help them navigate social media mindfully, and no, it doesn’t involve a complete ban. 1. Start the Conversation, Not the Battle Instead of becoming the enemy and banning social media out of the blue, talk to your teen about what they’re doing on it. Is it for learning, creativity, or just entertainment? Understanding their “why” helps guide them to use it more purposefully. 2. Set Healthy Boundaries Together Instead of enforcing rules, involve your teen in setting healthy screen-time limits. It gives them ownership and responsibility over their habits. For example, “I’ll spend 30 minutes scrolling up on TikTok after school, and then I’ll switch to doing homework” can be a much better strategy than enforcing a rigid rule that feels like punishment. When your teen has a say in the boundaries, they’re more likely to stick to them. 3. Be a Role Model What adults do, Teens do! If we’re glued to our phones, constantly checking social media, it sends the message that it’s okay to get lost in the digital world. Model healthy habits, like setting phone-free times, taking social media breaks, or just being present during family time. Show them how to use social media in a balanced way by setting phone-free times and modeling healthy habits. 4. Encourage Real-Life Activities Social media is great for staying in touch, but it can never replace real-life experiences. Encourage hobbies, sports, or family time to keep them grounded. This way, they can create a well-rounded life that isn’t centered solely around the screen. Plus, those real-world experiences will give them something to post about on their feed! 5. Be Their Guide, Not Their Warden At the end of the day, we can’t control everything teens do online. But we can provide guidance, support, and resources to help them use social media in a positive and mindful way. Keep the lines of communication open and encourage them to have trusted mentors—whether it’s a teacher, coach, older cousin, or life coach—who can provide advice beyond just Mom or Dad. If you’re worried about your teen’s social media habits, let’s talk! Book a free parent support session.