Moving into high school can be a difficult transition for many kids, they are almost adults but not quite there yet. As they complete their final years before moving to university or into a job, academic expectations increase, and kids start to feel more pressure. Here are 3 common problems new teenagers face in high school and how you can help them.

  1. Bigger Schools & Variety of Ages

If your child is attending an international high school in Bangkok, they may find it overwhelming for a number of reasons. Middle schools tend to be closer knit and the students are well-looked after by their teachers. Although this treatment doesn’t change, students are looked on as young adults, thus given more responsibility and autonomy. This doesn’t work well for all students as some struggle with bigger schools and a diverse age difference.  You need to communicate with them every day, to see if they are settling in okay.

  1. Making Friends

If your kid is starting in a new school, they will have to make new friends and get used to the environment all at the same time. This is a testing time for them, especially considering their age. No teenager wants to leave the comfort of their own school and start high school in a foreign place. They are at a challenging age between being a child and developing into an adult. You should encourage them to join societies or take part in sports. This is a good way to help them integrate and make friends. Remind them of their value and urge them to continue with activities they enjoyed in their old school.

  1. Balance

In the beginning, a teenager starting in a new high school will find it difficult. Students already have lifelong friends, and some won’t be open to allowing a new member to join their group. It is important to tell your teenager to be patient and try other avenues. They can try afterschool activities or get a part time job to help them feel more independent and less reliant on school friends.

It will take your child some time to get used to a new school. To make the transition easier, keep an open dialect and encourage them to join a society, volunteer or play sports. These are all good ways to make new friends. Give them time to settle in and don’t be overdemanding with their performance and grades.