Year 7 so tired

[Beansandcheesearegood]

Anyone else's year 7 really tired? Mine is exhausted, not sure how to help really!

Bed earlier, no screens after x o’clock, review diet inc hydration & probably a decent multivitamin & mineral.
Plus just time to grow into the new say of living - all of
those meant mine gradually became more robust.

Thank you! She has a good multivitamin, being able to use school canteen is adding a few extra milkshakes a week but otherwise pretty healthy. I think earlier bed, less screens might be the way to go. Thanks

Thank you! She has a good multivitamin, being able to use school canteen is adding a few extra milkshakes a week but otherwise pretty healthy. I think earlier bed, less screens might be the way to go. Thanks

Yeah mine is. She’s started on an academic scholarship at an independent school and she’s really thrown herself into school life, so is exhausted! Doesn’t help that she’s having to get up an hour earlier than at primary school. Thankfully she finishes for 2 weeks on Friday.

Is there any chance she's autistic?

Autistic burnout in year 7 girls is partly why there is a big spike in diagnosis at this age, and the presentation is very different in girls than in boys. Is there any family link to autism?

Yes, knackered and starving all the time here! A combination of having to walk to school (previously was at out of catchment primary so I drove every day) and throwing herself wholeheartedly into clubs and so on, meaning an endless stream of matches, rehearsals etc. Plus two evening activities. Very happy to be so busy and engaged but also very tiring.

What age is year 7? I'm guessing 11 or 12? If so I'd be interested to know what time they go to bed and get up and how screen time is managed.

She could just be tired. It’s a big change going from Primary to Secondary. New routines, homework, higher expectations…

My DS was like that this time last year. He had one day where he just hit a walk. He said he wasn't feeling great and I think he did have some virus but we didn't know it yet. He went to school, fell asleep at lunch, came home and got straight into bed at 4.30 and pretty much slept through to 8am the next day. He had a slightly raised temp and was unwell so stayed at home that day but honestly I think it was 75% exhaustion.

Half term couldn't come too soon for him. But every half term.got easier and now in Year 8 is just fine.

Mine goes to bed at 8, can read until 8.30 and is up at 6.30. Half an hour screen time on weekdays (if she has time, she doesn’t always due to clubs and homework), a bit more at weekends as we watch Strictly together on a Saturday evening.

No screens after school

@DingDongJingle that sounds very healthy. My twins get up a bit later but get an hour less sleep than yours. Also way too much screen time, I need to cut back but it's a battle.

It helps that she’s so busy TBH, there just isn’t much time for screens any more! I’m pretty strict on bedtimes because I don’t sleep well and it’s affected my whole life, so I want them to be as well rested as possible.

It's a big change going to secondary school, and the first half term, especially if you've to get up earlier, is an exhausting one.
She's probably not adjusted bedtime to account for being up earlier, but also things like a longer journey to school, having different subjects and teachers, all adds to cognitive load.
Also, the shorter days and possibly less natural light and fresh air might not be helping. Make sure she's getting a good dose of natural light at the weekend and switching off completely.
Assuming you're in England, it'll be half term soon!

It's a long term and a big adjustment so I think this is normal to an extent. I'd just try to get some good sleep habits established and get through the rest of the term. Be realistic about evening and weekend activities.

Obviously if it doesn't get better in the long run I'd see the GP in case anything else is going on. I do think that some people find secondary school harder and need to work out coping strategies if they don't ever get the settled in feeling.