Starting the School Year Strong

As summer winds down this month, and fall routines start to take shape, this time of year can feel like both a fresh start and stressful, especially for families with teens or young adults.

At Bolster Coaching, August is all about starting the school year strong in ways that build confidence, reduce stress, and leave room for growth (and yes, fun too).

Here’s what to keep in mind this month:

Fun isn’t a luxury: it’s fuel.Before diving into planners and to-do lists, it’s worth asking your young person: What would feel joyful right now? Play, rest, connection,these things refill our teens’ emotional tanks and help them show up to the year with more energy and resilience.

Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean back to conflict.Does your interest in your child's grades and future ever turn into micromanaging or miscommunication? Try leading with curiosity: What felt hard last year? What would you like to do differently? This can help invite reflection instead of resistance.

Executive function is a skillset, not a personality flaw.Struggles with time management, focus, or staying organized aren’t signs of laziness; they’re signs your teen or young adult might need support building the brain systems that help them manage school and life. And those skills can be developed.

Self-advocacy matters.Whether it’s emailing a teacher or asking for help, many teens simply haven’t practiced these essential skills. Doing this early in the year can set a positive stage for a strong teacher/student relationship. This season is a chance to gently guide and model how to best do this with your young person in high school or college.

A new school year can also mean new social dynamics.For many teens and young adults, friendships feel exciting and intimidating this time of year. Whether they’re returning to familiar spaces or starting somewhere new, this is a great moment to talk about how they want to feel in their friendships and what it looks like to be a good friend to themselves, too.

Coaching can be a game-changer during this season.Transitions like these are fertile ground for growth, but they can also bring up anxiety, self-doubt, or overwhelm. Coaching offers teens and young adults a space to slow down, reflect, and develop the tools (especially executive function skills) they need to start the school year with more clarity and confidence. It’s not about fixing them: it’s about helping them tap into their strengths and take ownership of their own growth. Please visit my website to book a free consultation to see if coaching is right for your young person.

Whether your teen is just starting high school or navigating post-grad uncertainty, this season brings new challenges and new opportunities.

 

And as parents, caregivers, or coaches, we can help them find clarity and confidence without pushing them to be someone they’re not.