How School Psychology Helped Layla Turn Her Grades Around
By Faten Soussi
A Teen’s Journey Through Anxiety and Academic Struggles: Vancouver, BC, from September to June, 16-year-old Layla faced a struggle that many high school students face anxiety and trouble focusing in class. These challenges did not just impact her emotional well-being, but they started to take a toll on her academic performance. With the help of Ms. B, the school psychologist, Layla discovered tools that helped her regain focus and confidence. According to my daughter Mariam, “High school was challenging because of anxiety and
pressure” (personal communication, May 2025).
Emotional Health and Academic Success
Layla’s story shows a growing appreciation of how emotional health influences academic
success. Despite attending school regularly, she felt overwhelmed and mentally exhausted.
“I used to open a textbook and immediately feel scared and nervous,” Layla said. “It wasn’t just the material. It was everything happening in my head.”
As her anxiety increased, Layla began missing assignments and struggling with tests. She wasn’t unmotivated, she was mentally exhausted. Eventually, she reached out for help.
The Role of a School Psychologist
Ms. B, a school psychologist. School psychologists are trained professionals who support
students by addressing mental health, behavior, and learning needs. Their work is a mix
of counseling and evidence based educational strategies. Through regular sessions, Ms. B helped Layla find the causes of her anxiety and attention issues. Together, they worked on ways to manage stress and increase focus.
According to the BC Ministry of Education, school psychologists support students’ academic achievement by helping them overcome barriers to learning. Learn more at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/programmanagement/school-psychology
Strategies That Worked
Ms. B introduced Layla to tools and techniques coming from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and educational psychology.
These included:
- Mindfulness exercises to manage anxiety in the moment (meditation)
- Breaking assignments into smaller tasks to avoid being overwhelmed (baby steps)
- Reframing negative thoughts, a core CBT technique (positive self talk)
- Time blocking and visual planning tools like calendars and color-coded to-do lists (schedule)
“Learning how my brain works changed everything,” Layla said. “I didn’t feel broken anymore. I just needed a new approach.”
Results
By midterm season, Layla’s school performance began improving. She met deadlines, participated more in class, and reported less anxiety attacks. By June, her GPA had increased by nearly 20%. A 2020 report by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) notes that nearly 1 in 5 youth in Canada experience a mental health issue that effects daily life. Access to psychologists can lower dropout rates and improve academic outcomes.
A Message for Students and Families
Layla’s story is a reminder that school success is not just about studying harder and getting good grades, it’s about mental wellness too.
“With new mental health programs in schools, students will get the help they need when they need it” (Fleming).
Parents and students can access resources like Foundry BC (https://foundrybc.ca/ ) or Here to Help (https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/ ) for mental health support.
Looking Ahead
Layla plans to continue using what she has learned as she enters Grade 11. She also hopes to support peers going through similar challenges. Her journey shows that with the right support, tools, and mindset, students can overcome emotional obstacles and thrive in school and in life.
Works Cited
Care, E. and C. (2019, February 4). Students supported by New School Mental Health
Resources. BC Gov News. https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019EDUC0013-000149
Engagement, G. C. and P. (2023, April 26). Education and training. Province of British
Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training
Fast facts about mental health and mental illness. CMHA National. (2021, November
17). https://cmha.ca/brochure/fast-facts-about-mental-illness/