Fresco:Secondary school life is a great transition from primary school. Students are no longer spoon fed and self study is expected from everyone. Good time management is the key to independent study and of course self discipline is crucial. On top of the many subjects to learn with new topics and concepts to grasp and numerous project datelines to meet, they have to participate actively in CCA as well, taking up leadership roles etc...and not forgetting the long hours in school, it is no wonder the child becomes overwhelmed. It is also a time whereby the students learn to survive with little sleep as they struggle to complete daily assignments and projects. It is a period every secondary one child must come to terms with. By sec two, they should have adjusted to the school curriculum and live up to the expectations of secondary academia. It takes hard work, good discipline and also words and words of encouragement from parents. Be there for them when the stress level hits high. Help build confidence in them and show that we believe in them. It is love in action. My son is studying in an IP school. He is one tired and yes, stressed boy too. He gets up from 5 to 5.15 every morning and leaves the house by 5.45am. On days he has no CCAs or meetings with the teachers, he will be home by 3pm. On CCA days, he will be back by 6.30 to 7pm. On days that he learns 3rd language, he will be home by 8.30pm. Sometimes, he is so tired that he has no appetite to eat dinner for that day. He has numerous projects in the pipeline and is always working at his laptop, after completing his homework. Besides, learning stuff in the sec 1 syllables, topics for Sec 3/4 are also covered for Maths and Science. He is learning Sec two history instead of the Sec 1 syllables. Self study and advanced reading up is expected from every student. Time for revision is really limited, not even during the weekends as he will be working on another of his school project. There is hardly any time for recreational activities. It is indeed very overwhelming and frustrating for him and the stress is evident. To be honest, he has lost weight. Overwork but under rest. All work but no play does make my boy a dull boy. :sad: That's why parents should do all we can to help lighten the burden and relieve the stress of our kids. Proper nutrition is good to begin with followed by activities our kids can do to help them to de stress. Also teach them that success is not how much one has achieved and accomplished in life but by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. As such, our children learn good problem solving skills, take responsibility and be accountable for their own actions. With these traits, this will see them far into adulthood.Just curious, which IP school is your DS in? My DS is also in IP. DS has lost much weight too After the long tired hours at school, he hardly want to do any revision at home other than completing his assessments!