Much of a child’s self-esteem comes from the environment they grow up in and how people treat them. If your teen suffers academic problems, some of this possibly ties to their feelings of self-worth. Learn more about how improving self-esteem improves academics and use some simple tips to help your teen excel in school and throughout their life.
When you need professional help, Venture Academy can lead your teen to the right path. We provide support and guidance to struggling teens across Canada. Call 866.762.2211 to learn more about the treatment programs at Venture Academy.
What Is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem is a crucial component of psychological health and an important part of overall well-being. It is the belief that one holds about oneself; it encompasses both positive and negative evaluations. As such, self-esteem can be seen as the sum total of one’s emotional evaluation of self-worth. Healthy levels of self-esteem are essential for leading a happy life, as low levels have been linked to depression, relationship difficulties, poor performance in school or work, substance abuse, and other negative outcomes.
Improving one’s self-esteem involves developing awareness and insight into personal strengths and weaknesses. It also means recognising the importance of accepting yourself as you are, flaws and all, rather than regarding yourself with harsh judgment. Building healthy habits such as exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in meaningful activities can also help to boost self-esteem. Additionally, seeking out healthy relationships with friends and family members can provide support that helps foster a strong sense of self. With the right combination of insight, acceptance, and supportive relationships, it is possible to develop healthy levels of self-esteem and lead a happier life.
How Improving Self-Esteem Improves Academics
Your young person’s self-esteem impacts everything they do. How teens engage with others, handle challenges, and participate in activities comes down to their self-image and confidence. Low self-esteem also affects your teen’s academics, such as their desire to learn, take risks, and focus. For them to succeed in school, they need to feel good about their capabilities.
Unfortunately, there is no way to teach someone how to have positive self-esteem. But you can help your teen build self-esteem by providing them with support and encouragement. When you show them appreciation, for example, this improves their self-image.
Young people also need security in knowing that you support them even when they do not do well. They need your confidence that they can turn their struggles around in order to try doing so at all.
When your teen feels supported, they work harder to find their way through complex problems. This translates to their school performance. Studies prove that in teens, improving self-esteem improves academics.
How to Help Improve Your Teen’s Self-Esteem for Academic Success
There are some things you can do to help improve your teen’s self-esteem and build up their self-confidence, such as:
- Praise the positives – Praise positive things about your teen, citing specific reasons for that praise. Your young person will see right through any fake or insincere praise. So be sure you point out their strengths and reinforce your confidence in them because of those positive traits.
- Give feedback – Provide thoughtful feedback on their work. If your teen writes a report, for example, tell them what helped you engage in their writing. Explain what you like about their efforts. When they show improvement in school work, praise that progress. Let them know you notice, and their successes make you proud.
- Point out their strengths and victories – If your loved one fails to see their own positive attributes, point these out to them. Help them see how they grow and progress in their efforts over time. Point out concrete examples, so they can see how much they have improved in their schoolwork.
- Showcase your teen’s achievements – Maintain a bulletin board or shelf of things that remind them of specific accomplishments. If they enjoy hobbies or activities, frame photos or certificates of those favourite events, too.
- Talk to them – Talk to your teen with full attention each day. Help them feel like you value their input, feedback, conversation, and needs. When they suffer failures, help them understand it is not actually a failure but a way to learn in life that everyone experiences from time to time.
If you find your teen is still struggling with their self-esteem, professional support might help. Many teen treatment and therapy programs can help them improve their self-esteem.
Improving Self-Esteem with Outside Help from Venture Academy
If your teen suffers behavioural and school problems, the root cause is possibly more than just low self-esteem. Help them find their way back to a happy, successful life through mental health treatment and therapeutic support. Programs and treatments to help your teen include:
- Treatment for troubled teens
- Individual therapy
- Educational support
- Group therapy
- 30-day assessment and intervention
- Individualised treatment plans
- Family counselling
In Alberta and Ontario, Venture Academy provides the support and treatment your teen needs for greater academic success and happiness. Call Venture Academy now at 866.762.2211 to learn more about available programs and how improving self-esteem improves academics. You can also reach us by filling out our online contact form.
