Since the start of the pandemic, teens trying to figure out their life path have been facing a host of new uncertainties. Read on for tips on how to help your high
schooler plan their future in this difficult context.
No one can predict the future. However, listing all the controllable factors in your life can be a great way to see how much power you really have. To help your child regain a sense of control, suggest that they make a list of all the things that will remain unaffected by the pandemic. Here are a few examples:
Then, ask them to list all the things that will likely be affected by the pandemic. For example:
Once your teen has both lists side-by-side, ask them to do the following:
It’s clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up our daily routines. However, there have been some interesting upsides to the lockdown. For instance, we’ve been forced to spend more time at home. Why not take this opportunity to help your teen get to know themselves and figure out their dream job? To start, you could encourage them to explore potential areas of interest:
Will your child be graduating from high school in the next few months? Check out our article on helping teens choose their educational path.
The good thing about the future is that it’s not set in stone. You can imagine all kinds of different paths. For example, if your teen wants to improve their skills in their second language, doing a language exchange may not be feasible in the current context. However, you can encourage them to think about other options. Here are a few examples:
Even if it’s not always easy, when faced with unforeseen situations like COVID-19, it’s important to know how to embrace change and turn it to your advantage. In addition to helping your teen see the positives, you can teach them to have a more adaptable outlook:
When coping with uncertainty, it’s sometimes best to turn to a resource person. If you think your teen is feeling confused about their future, you can set up a meeting with a guidance counsellor. Here are some things they can do to help:
Most school boards have a guidance counsellor on staff. To learn more about their main responsibilities, check out our article on the subject.
Uncertainty can increase your teen’s anxiety and have a negative impact on their academic perseverance. To help them stay calm during these turbulent times, you can encourage them to do the following:
To learn more, check out our article on how to help your high schooler manage stress.
Rewriting: The Alloprof Parents’ team