Parents play a big role in getting their teenagers ready for the final years of school, so they need to know the key steps to getting them motivated.

Australian Teenage Expo co-founder and youth expert Sacha Kaluri said we as parents need to beware that teens can lose motivation to start school over the school holidays.

Just think about adults, no matter how much we love our jobs, when we go on holidays its always hard to get back into the swing of things at work when we go back. It’s extremely common for young people to start the year with a can’t be bothered attitude.

Parents need to make sure they have regular conversations about how exciting the final years can be; it’s so much more than just education.

Sonya Karras also co-founder of the Australian Teenage Expo said young people have often spent the last six weeks sleeping in, partying and hanging out with friends. “School does not sound like a fun place to be, but really its centre hub of socialisation. You can have some of the best days of your life doing Year 12”, said Mrs Karras.

Top 5 tips on how get senior school students feeling positive and excited about starting Year 12:

• Have positive conversations at home with family and friends about all the various good things school has to offer other than education.
• Listen when they speak. When young people talk to their parents about subject selection-get involved and be positive
• Remind them of the fun they will have. There is more to school than education. Maybe even reflect on the fun you had at school
• Relationships with teachers will change. Teachers are different to senior students; they treat them more like adult.
• Make sure they are doing subjects they will enjoy. It’s not just about your future, careers and the final score. The more you enjoy school the better you will do.

One of the worst things that can happen is to start Year 12 under pressure. Know it’s important, but you need to make sure you don’t start stressed out.

I remember working with a student that was under so much pressure to have a perfect score at the end of Year 12, that she was having severe anxiety just at the thought of starting the year.

Going into first term of school with a positive vibe is an essential mind set.

Start the year with some goals that are not only achievable but you are excited to stretch yourself further than you thought possible.

Young people want to succeed, but they want to have fun as well, don’t lose sight of the fact that life has to be enjoyable, get them involved in things they enjoy.

As parents we have to remember not to try and relive our lives through our children, its with their own mistakes they will learn the best lessons. Life is a journey and they have their own lessons to learn.

Remind them that it is one step at a time and no matter how big the work load will get through the year, you will always be there to support them. It might be an idea to help them to lighten up their load they have with work, money and also household chores.

For more information about the Australian Teenage Expo visit here. Or to find out more about the author Sacha Kaluri visit here.

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