Moving is a big change in life – and change tends to be scary. It disrupts the sense of comfort and safety that comes with familiarity, introduces a number of unknowns, and brings all kinds of challenges. So, it’s natural to be resistant to change – especially when that change comes during an already precarious time. Such as high school, for example.
High school students are young people who have not yet found their true selves and their path in life. They’re still forming their identity and are highly influenced by their environment and their community. Their social life is of paramount importance to them and they invest an enormous amount of time and energy into fitting in a specific social group.
Moving house during high school takes teens away from their social group and their familiar environment – it disrupts their world, negates their social efforts, and leaves them at “point zero”. The very idea of having to repeat the entire stressful process of fitting in again in a new school is upsetting and frightening for them. Not to mention the potential academic challenges of a new high school.
Despite the fear of change, however, moving during high school may be extremely beneficial for teenagers – it can give them a fresh start and open up many new opportunities for them, broaden their horizons and help them grow as individuals.
Here are all the pros and cons of moving during high school that need to be taken into account when it comes to moving with a teenager.
Good things about moving during high school
Despite the numerous challenges it brings (and to some extent because of them), moving during high school can be a very positive experience:
1) Fresh start
As clichéd as it may sound, it’s true that moving to a new place provides a chance to start afresh and change everything one doesn’t like about their life.
A teenager who moves to a new city during high school will be able to:
- Leave bad experiences behind – When living in a new place where nothing – and no one – reminds the teen of their negative experiences, they may forget all about them. Besides, getting some distance may give them a new perspective and they may be able to learn from their past mistakes or realize that what happened wasn’t a big deal, etc.;
- Leave bad habits behind – A change in environment often leads to a change in lifestyle – it’s a chance to break bad habits and develop positive ones, create a new, improved routine, and change things for the better;
- Leave bad reputation behind – A teen may be pegged as a troublemaker – or a nerd, or a coward, or an egoist, etc. – in their current school. They may not be able to break out of the image when surrounded by people who have known them all their life. In their new area and at their new school, no one will have any preconceived notions about who they are, so they will have the chance to change their behavior, style, etc. and become who they want to be.
When moving during high school, a teenager will be able to start with a clean slate – nobody will know them, so there will be nobody to bring up past mistakes, failures, or embarrassing stories. They will be able to build a new image, become better versions of themselves, and build a happier life for themselves.
See also: Moving to another stare for a fresh start
2) New opportunities
A new location offers many new opportunities – new places to explore, new things to learn, new experiences to try, new entertainment options to enjoy…
Moving during high school will open a world of opportunities for teenagers:
- Their new school may be a better fit for them – in terms of learning environment, educational resources, subject matter focus, academic level, support programs, etc. (See also: How to choose a good new school after moving);
- The available extracurricular activities (sports, arts, music, theater, dances, photography, astronomy, etc.) may align with the teen’s interests and passions;
- The area may offer various opportunities for outdoor pursuits and recreational activities – gyms, fitness centers, swimming pools, boating facilities, skiing tracks, hiking trails, camping areas, beaches, etc.;
- The new city may provide a wide variety of cultural and entertainment options – museums, galleries, theatres, operas, concerts, festivals, etc.
It will be a chance to gain new knowledge and obtain new skills, try new things and enjoy life in a new way.
3) New friends
When teenagers move to a new place during high school, they will meet a lot of new people – they will have new neighbors, new teachers, and new classmates, will join new clubs and organizations, and will become a part of a new community.
Their social circle will expand considerably and they will be able to make new friends and start new relationships.
See also: How to make friends after moving
4) Personal growth
Last but not least, moving during high school will be a big step toward self-discovery and self-assertion. Getting out of their comfort zone and facing numerous challenges will help teenagers learn to stand on their own feet – and it will make them stronger, more resilient, more self-reliant, and more self-aware.
Drawbacks of moving during high school
Despite the potential benefits, a move during high school is usually quite hard on teenagers. Switching peer groups, adjusting to new academic requirements, and leaving close friends behind is very difficult and very stressful for adolescents, so they’re likely to struggle – academically and socially.
1) Losing everything achieved so far
By their sophomore year, teenagers will have found their place in their school and in their peer community – they may have distinguished themselves as top students, may be very popular among their classmates, may be in the school band or in the drama club, may be leaders of school sports teams, etc. When they move house – and move to a new high school – they will lose everything they have achieved so far. It will be extremely upsetting.
And then, after the move, the teens will have to prove themselves anew – it will be very stressful and the young people may feel overwhelmed and reluctant to make the effort.
2) Parting with friends
As already mentioned above, social life is the most important thing for most teenagers. Their friends and their social group define who they’re – losing them can make teens feel lost and alone. Moving during high school will break existing relationships – and that can have a very detrimental effect on teens’ social development and quality of life.
The young people will naturally be very sad to leave their friends behind – they will miss their trusted pals and the fun things they used to do together. That grief over parting with old friends will likely coexist with anxiety about making new friends – and if the teens don’t fit in quickly after the move, they will not only feel sad and lonely, but may also become depressed and withdrawn.
See also: How to stay in touch with friends after moving
3) Adjusting to a new school
Whether the move takes place during the summer break or during the academic year, switching schools will be very difficult for teenagers – they will have to adjust to new teachers, new rules, new scheduling, new social dynamics… It will take time and effort and may result in academic struggles.
Besides, different schools have different curriculums, focus on different subjects, and have different teaching methods and different requirements – this may easily result in confusion and low academic performance.
All in all, moving during high school can have a number of negative effects on teens, including hindered academic and social development, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
See also: How moving affects children
Considering all the pros and cons of moving during high school, when moving with a teenager, it’s better to make the move sooner rather than later – while the teen is still in their first years of high school. Senior students should get to finish high school with their friends – unless they themselves wish for a change and fresh start.
