The Midterm Summit: Time to Decompress
23rd May 2026
If you’ve noticed a bit more door-slamming, extra-long naps, or "monosyllabic" answers at the dinner table this week, you aren’t alone. We’ve seen it in the hallways, too. We’ve officially hit the midterm slump.
By this point in the year, our students have been running a marathon. Between the pressure of grades, the social highs and lows, and the constant ‘what’s next?’ of high school life, their batteries aren't just low, they’re probably in need of recharge.
As we head into the break, we wanted to share a few thoughts on how to help your teen (and yourselves) actually recharge.
1. Let the Social Battery Refill
For a teenager, school isn't just about maths and history; it’s eight hours of intense social navigation. It is exhausting. If they spend the first two days of break hibernating in their room, try not to take it personally. They aren’t being lazy, they’re recalibrating. They need a few days where no one is asking anything of them.
2. The No-School Zone
We know the temptation to use this time to catch up is huge. However, if a student spends their entire break staring at the same laptop they use for school, their brain never actually registers that they’ve had a holiday.
● The Goal: Try to designate at least a few Academic Free Days. No talk of assessments, no checking grade portals, and no "did you finish that essay?"
3. Connection Over Correction
High schoolers often feel like they are only as good as their latest grades. Use this week to remind them they’re loved for who they are, not what they do.
● Suggestion: Cook a favorite meal together, go for a walk without phones, or watch a movie they’ve been talking about. It’s in these quiet, boring moments that they usually end up opening up about what’s actually on their mind.
To Parents,
You’ve been doing the heavy lifting of supporting them through this term. This break is for you, too. Try to put down the "Project Manager" hat for a few days and enjoy your kids.
They might not say thank you for the ride to practice or the late-night venting sessions yet, but we see the work you’re putting in, and it makes all the difference.
Take a deep breath. Enjoy the quiet. We’ll see everyone back here, hopefully a little brighter, when the mid-term break ends.
School Counsellors
