Teens Are Experiencing Educational Burnout, Here’s How To Help

Steph Bazzle

teen is overwhelmed and bunt out at computer
Photo by Milkos on Deposit Photos

As adults, it’s easy to forget how stressful childhood (including adolescence) can be.

We look at the past through rosy lenses, and we may remember childhood as a time of bike riding, board gaming, and playground fun while forgetting about the times we were overwhelmed by adults misunderstanding us, frustrated with our lack of autonomy, and scared of new experiences and challenges.

Now, our kids are experiencing some of those same struggles, and we have an obligation to see that their lives also have stress and hardship and to help them avoid burnout.

Burnout: A Growing Epidemic

People have always struggled to keep up with the demands of society. Burnout hits those in high-stress jobs, like doctors, nurses, and social workers. It also hits those in jobs that can be physically and socially stressful and never seem to let up, like retail and food service or teaching.

It certainly hits parents, who — along with all of the groups mentioned earlier — have had even more reasons to stress since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parents have hit such high levels of stress that the U.S. government recognized it as a national crisis!

Yet, we (collectively) rarely think about our kids’ stress levels.

Halfway Through The School Year

Worried teen taking a test
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If your kids are on a typical school schedule, they’ve been in classes for about half of this school year. They’ve likely finished midterm exams and are now looking ahead to end-of-grade exams.

If they’re behind, they’ve probably had teachers warning them that they may not pass, and if they’re struggling with any current concepts, they may be worrying about whether they’ll make it to the end of the year.

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At the same time, they’ve been back on campus long enough for cliques and friend groups to solidify, then loosen and shift a few times, and they may be struggling with their place in the social sphere. Some parents already find themselves stepping in and ‘disrupting’ their kids’ social lives in an effort to stave off social overload. (And kids aren’t happy about that, either.)

If your kids are autistic or have ADHD or other learning differences, the feeling of being overwhelmed can be intensified and amplified even further.

How Bad Is Teen Burnout?

A study in 2024 divided teens’ stressors into six categories: pressure to solidify future plans; pressure to achieve academically; pressure to look a certain way; pressure to have a social life; pressure to be available for friends; and pressure to be involved in activism or stay informed.

Researchers found that 81% of teens said they felt negative pressure in at least one category, and more than half said they felt negative pressure in at least three categories. More than a quarter reported struggling with burnout, according to Harvard’s Center for Digital Thriving.

This echoes a 2023 report that evaluated teens’ stress on a 10-point scale. Researchers deemed a score of 3.9 or below to be healthy. The average adult reports a level of 5.1, and in this study, the average teen’s stress level was at 5.8 — well above the ‘healthy’ level, reports Very Well.

What Drives Teen Stress?

Bored Student At Desk While Teacher Looking At Him
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Many causes of teen stress come from external expectations (real or perceived). Teens say their parents, guidance counselors, teachers, and coaches are pressuring them to have their futures figured out and to succeed and meet expectations.

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However, there are some internal pressures, too. Teens say their desires to meet social norms regarding appearance and body type are primarily driven by their own feelings, not external pressures.

Many of them agree that much pressure comes from social media, too. However, a small percentage say that social media interactions help reduce stress and pressure.

The Self-Care Failure

So many adults are not meeting their own needs for self-care. We’re not getting enough sleep, we’re not getting time for relaxation, we’re constantly worried and stressed, and many of us are experiencing compassion fatigue and/or caregiver burnout.

Our kids are not seeing us give ourselves adequate self-care and are not learning to meet their own needs, either.

According to ChildMind, teens should ideally be getting 9 hours of sleep per night, and those who get 7 hours or more are not only less stressed but less likely to engage in risky behaviors, including the use of nicotine and alcohol, unprotected sex, and reckless driving. Yet, nearly half of teens get fewer than 7 hours of sleep per night.

Teens also fall short of the hour of physical activity recommended for their best health, and many get no time outdoors in nature.

How Can Parents Alleviate This Stress?

Teen sleeping on books
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It’s tough to ease your teen’s stress when you’re also burnt out and exhausted and know your teen has responsibilities to meet.

However, take a moment to consider whether the pressures on your kids are necessary or if any could be relaxed. Ask your child what is weighing most heavily on them, and examine whether any of those are optional or could be eased in any way.

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Even if none of these stressors can be lightened, being heard may help ease your kid’s burnout to some degree.

You can also encourage your child to get enough sleep and physical activity. While you’re at it, set an example (not only for your teens but for younger kids) by taking care of yourself. Show your children that it’s essential for people of all ages to get enough rest, nutritious food, and exercise and to take time for yourself.

Most importantly, stay checked in with your teen’s needs and be prepared to seek out mental health care if they need it.