Failing School: Understanding the Academic Struggles of Troubled Teens

Having trouble in school as a teen can be hard for both the child and their parents. It can be even more challenging when teens struggle with behaviors beyond the classroom. When teens act out, get in trouble with the law, and more, parents might not know who to turn to or how to help. Thankfully, our team at Liahona Academy can help. Our tried-and-true program focuses on a well-rounded approach to helping teens process their feelings and create positive goals. Continue reading to learn some of the common struggles teens have academically and how parents, along with our team, can help.

What Difficulties Do Teens Face Academically?

Teenagers often face academic difficulties, and these challenges can be a source of frustration for both parents and students. To help teens succeed in school, it's crucial to identify the underlying reasons for their struggles. Two common factors that contribute to academic difficulties are outlined below.

Issues With Time Management

Teenagers have a lot of tasks and duties, such as schoolwork, extracurricular activities, personal duties, and part-time jobs. Keeping track of all of these things can be hard, and not managing their time well can cause them to miss tasks, feel more stressed, and have a lower quality of life in general. For teens to be able to handle their busy schedules, they need to learn how to effectively manage their time. Teenagers often have trouble managing their time because of the following items:

• Academic Commitments: Teenagers have to handle a lot of different classes, each with its own projects, tests, and homework. If they don't know how to handle their time well, they could fall behind and have trouble in school.
• Extracurricular Activities: A lot of kids take part in sports, clubs, and other activities outside of school. These things can take a lot of time and make their daily plans busier.
• Part-Time Jobs: Some teens have part-time jobs to make money or get experience. Trying to fit work hours into other plans can be challenging.
• Time With Family and Friends: Teenagers also need to set aside time to relax and spend time with their families and friends. Burnout can happen if you don't take care of your social and mental health.
• Technology and Distractions: Teenagers have a hard time focusing because of all the computers and social media apps they use. Putting things off can make it hard to organize your time.

Peer Pressure and Social Issues

Along with learning helpful time management skills, teens also need to learn how to handle social stressors. At times, it can be hard for them to balance the responsibilities of school with their desire to fit in. A closer look at this complicated issue continues below.

• Acceptance by Peers: Teenagers often put a lot of value on acceptance and connection with their peers. Some of the things they want are to make strong friendships, fit in with a group, and get support from their peers. This need to fit in with your peers can make you follow the rules, which can mean sacrificing your academic obligations. For students, the fear of being rejected or left out can be a strong distraction from their studies.
• Identity Formation: When teens are in the process of forming their identity, they are looking into their values, beliefs, hobbies, and other personal traits. They might feel like they have to follow social rules or stereotypes to fit in with a certain group or image, even if it goes against their academic goals. This inner conflict can make it hard for them to concentrate on their schoolwork.
• Social Media and Technology: Teenagers are under more social pressure than ever because of how much they use technology and social media. Some pictures of what their friends are doing are chosen to make them feel bad about themselves and leave them out. Also, being connected to their social networks all the time can be a big distraction from their schoolwork.
• Cyberbullying and Peer Pressure: Teenagers may be bullied in person or online, which can hurt their mental health and self-esteem. Peer pressure can make students do dangerous things or do things that take their attention away from schoolwork.
• Emotional and Mental Health Issues: Adolescence is a time of intense emotions, and students may struggle with worry, depression, and self-doubt. These emotional problems can make it hard for them to focus on their schoolwork because they may be thinking about them a lot.
• Activities Outside of School: As a way to meet new people and pursue their interests, teens often do things outside of school, like sports, clubs, or part-time jobs. These things are good for your mental growth, but they can take up a lot of time, making it harder to do your schoolwork.

How Can Parents Help?

Parents are critical when it comes to helping their teens who are having trouble in school. First, it's important to communicate clearly. Parents should make sure their kids have a safe place where they can talk about their worries, fears, and problems without fear of being judged. This can help parents figure out why their child is having trouble in school, whether it's a mental disability, trouble managing their time, or social pressures. Parents can help their teens in ways that meet their specific needs by constantly listening. Additionally, parents can create a structured and helpful setting at home. This means making rules and standards clear, which can help teens organize their time well and put studying first. Making a place just for studying and removing distractions like electronics and noise can also help create a good learning environment. Parents can also help their kids learn how to be organized and manage their time by teaching them how to plan, set goals, and break down projects into tasks that they can handle. Lastly, parents should tell their teens to get extra help when they need it. This could mean getting a tutor or working with our team at Liahona Academy to find out what tools can help teens best. Parents can also help their teen's drive and self-esteem by telling them that effort and persistence are more important than just getting good grades. Parents can help their teens who are having trouble in school get the skills they need to be successful by encouraging a growth attitude and being there for them all the time.

Contact Our Team For Help

Beyond the tips above, parents should consider contacting our team for help. We have helped countless parents and teens over the years with academic issues and more. This is especially important when teens are struggling with significant behaviors that lean toward affecting their futures. With the right support, parents and teens can learn to connect better. Contact us today.