“Fuesvakanz” is just around the corner: Finally some time again for holidays and also time to take a deep breath. Yet, this means that half of the school year is over too. A small mid-term review is favourable for parents and pupils: How are they doing at school, which aims remain to be achieved? Are your children enjoying themselves at school and how are they doing in general?

Many children feel stomach ache when thinking about school and their marks.  

Sometimes school can provoke a feeling of pressure, reluctance and stress. The wish to avoid school pressure is as tempting as trying to keep away from conflicts with one’s parents.

Some children and adolescents are afraid of their parents’ reactions. However, especially when things are not going well trust in one’s parents is needed. It is always vital not to only look at a child’s failures but to equally acknowledge the things that go well. A child’s confidence grows with acknowlegement.

Bad marks shouldn’t be ignored but releasing a tirade does not help either. Instead it is important to find out the reason behind the bad marks.

The reasons can be various: high pressure of expectation, a lack of motivation, poor diligence, learning difficulties, bad teaching, conflicts with teachers, sleep deprivation or being friends with the wrong people. Family problems and bullying can also have a significant effect on performances at school.

Teachers, parents and acquaintances constantly explain to children and adolescents how important school is. However, speaking like this can feel patronizing. It would be more beneficial for everyone if the adolescents themselves took the responsibility into their own hands.  

They should learn to shift the focus onto their own objectives. It is also fun to come up with a plan with one’s school friends – in this way youths learn to support and encourage each other.

In addition, children and adolescents can learn to develop an optimistic attitude and the sentence: ‘I can’t do this, I’ll never achieve this’ will never cross their mind again. ‘Learning by doing’/The proof of the pudding is in the eating is the motto and when you don’t understand something, just ask someone to explain it to you – over and over again.

Motivation increases when children and youths recognize connections between school and life lessons and when they are not only defined through good or bad marks.They are much more than their academic achievements.    

With this in mind: Good luck for the next half of the school year.

Parents are welcome. They can contact the online counselling service: www.kjt.lu

Don’t stay alone: Children and adolescents who have questions or problems can contact the online counselling service: www.kjt.lu for children and youth