Singapore’s education system is highly competitive, and while parents want their teens to excel, they also fear the impact of stress and burnout. Studies show that 70% of students experience school-related anxiety, leading to lack of motivation, poor focus, and even mental health issues.

So how can parents support their child’s success without pushing them too hard?

Ace Digital sat down with Gary Tong, a Certified Mental Toughness Coach, NLP Practitioner, and Psychology Expert with 15+ years of experience. As the author of Empowered Learning: Helping Your Teen Thrive in a Competitive World, Gary shares 5 game-changing strategies that help students thrive academically and emotionally.

The Problem:
Many parents fixate on grades, unintentionally making their child feel only as good as their report card.

The Fix:
Shift focus to effort and progress. Research on Growth Mindset found that students praised for effort performed 30% better than those praised for intelligence.

"Instead of asking, ‘Why did you only get 75 marks?’ try ‘What did you learn from this?’” Gary suggests. This builds confidence and motivation.

The Problem:
Nagging, bribing, and punishment don’t work. Teens who study only out of fear tend to lose motivation.

The Fix:
Link their studies to their future goals or interests. A Singapore Institute of Mental Health study found that students with intrinsic motivation performed 20-40% better than those studying under pressure.

"If a teen sees how subjects connect to their dream career—be it medicine, business, or design—they naturally take ownership of learning," Gary explains.

The Problem:
Stress is inevitable, but many students don’t know how to manage it.

The Fix:
Teach these proven stress-busting techniques:

✅ Deep breathing (2 minutes) – Reduces anxiety instantly.

✅ The Pomodoro Technique – Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.

✅ Mindfulness exercises – Lowers stress by 30% in students.

"The goal isn’t to eliminate stress, but to manage it in a way that keeps teens in the optimal performance zone," Gary explains.

4. Prioritize Sleep &amp; Physical Health

The Problem:
60% of Singaporean students get less than 6 hours of sleep, even though teens need 8–10 hours for peak brain function. Lack of sleep lowers focus and memory by 40%.

✅ Set a regular sleep schedule (even during exam periods).

✅ Limit screen time before bed for better sleep quality.

✅ Encourage exercise, which boosts brain function by 15%.

"No amount of tuition can fix a sleep-deprived brain," Gary warns.

5. Create a Supportive Environment, Not a Pressure Cooker

The Problem:
Teens often feel like they can’t talk to their parents about school struggles.

✅ Listen, don’t lecture – Let them express their struggles without fear of judgment.

✅ Celebrate small wins – Reinforce their effort, not just results.

✅ Be their ally – Show them they’re more than just their grades.

"When teens feel emotionally supported, they perform better—not just in school, but in life," Gary emphasizes.

Final Thoughts: Help Your Teen Succeed with Less Stress

Academic success and mental well-being can go hand in hand. By focusing on progress, motivation, stress management, sleep, and a supportive environment, parents can help their teens thrive—without unnecessary pressure.

For a free personal assessment and consul<a href="https://www.cruxialteentest.online/">tation with Gary Tong, visit:
👉&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>https://www.cruxialteentest.online/

Ace Digital: Bringing Singaporeans the Insights That Matter
At Ace Digital, we help Singaporeans navigate the challenges of education, career, and personal growth by bringing expert perspectives on topics that impact their lives.

If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover, let us know! Your challenges shape the stories we tell. 🚀

<p>Is Your Teen Struggling to Excel Without Burning Out?
Singapore’s education system is tough—but pushing too hard can lead to stress, burnout, and lost motivation. So how do you help your teen succeed academically without breaking their mental well-being?
We spoke with Gary Tong, a Certified Mental Toughness Coach & Psychology Expert, to uncover five game-changing strategies that help students thrive. From boosting self-motivation to reducing stress without lowering expectations, these science-backed tips can transform how your teen approaches school.
Want to help your child excel without constant pressure? Read the full interview here. 👇
 👉 https://www.cruxialteentest.online/
</p> <img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/8315e3eb-c364-404d-baa6-4611dede4800/public" alt="In many Singaporean homes, stress shows up quietly—between good intentions and overwhelming expectations" /><h3>Helping Teens Succeed Without Burnout</h3><p>Singapore’s education system is highly competitive, and while parents want their teens to excel, they also fear the impact of stress and burnout. Studies show that 70% of students experience school-related anxiety, leading to lack of motivation, poor focus, and even mental health issues.</p><img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/03943be4-8451-4b15-fe35-e770110efb00/public" alt="70% of students in Singapore report school-related anxiety, according to national mental health surveys" /><p>So how can parents support their child’s success without pushing them too hard?</p><p>Ace Digital sat down with Gary Tong, a Certified Mental Toughness Coach, NLP Practitioner, and Psychology Expert with 15+ years of experience. As the author of Empowered Learning: Helping Your Teen Thrive in a Competitive World, Gary shares 5 game-changing strategies that help students thrive academically and emotionally.</p><h2>1. Focus on Progress, Not Just Results</h2><p>The Problem:
Many parents fixate on grades, unintentionally making their child feel only as good as their report card.</p><p>The Fix:
Shift focus to effort and progress. Research on Growth Mindset found that students praised for effort performed 30% better than those praised for intelligence.</p><p>"Instead of asking, ‘Why did you only get 75 marks?’ try ‘What did you learn from this?’” Gary suggests. This builds confidence and motivation.</p><img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/cd71712e-27ed-4dbf-b49c-8816e3b74000/public" alt="🌱 “Focusing on progress builds resilience — and helps your teen feel seen beyond their grades." /><h2>2. Help Your Teen Find Their “Why”</h2><p>The Problem:
Nagging, bribing, and punishment don’t work. Teens who study only out of fear tend to lose motivation.</p><p>The Fix:
Link their studies to their future goals or interests. A Singapore Institute of Mental Health study found that students with intrinsic motivation performed 20-40% better than those studying under pressure.</p><p>"If a teen sees how subjects connect to their dream career—be it medicine, business, or design—they naturally take ownership of learning," Gary explains.</p><img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/97fcbe1a-f294-409e-ce87-d7c02fc85800/public" alt="When teens see how school connects to their dream future, learning becomes personal and powerful." /><h2>3. Teach Stress-Management Techniques</h2><p>The Problem:
Stress is inevitable, but many students don’t know how to manage it.</p><p>The Fix:
Teach these proven stress-busting techniques:</p><p>✅ Deep breathing (2 minutes) – Reduces anxiety instantly.</p><p>✅ The Pomodoro Technique – Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.</p><p>✅ Mindfulness exercises – Lowers stress by 30% in students.</p><p>"The goal isn’t to eliminate stress, but to manage it in a way that keeps teens in the optimal performance zone," Gary explains.</p><img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/85c3b2f7-f46d-4415-fe6c-315f04ea9700/public" alt="A few minutes of deep breathing or Pomodoro practice can shift a teen’s focus and reduce anxiety fast." /><h2>4. Prioritize Sleep &amp; Physical Health</h2><p>The Problem:
60% of Singaporean students get less than 6 hours of sleep, even though teens need 8–10 hours for peak brain function. Lack of sleep lowers focus and memory by 40%.</p><p>The Fix:</p><p>✅ Set a regular sleep schedule (even during exam periods).</p><p>✅ Limit screen time before bed for better sleep quality.</p><p>✅ Encourage exercise, which boosts brain function by 15%.</p><p>"No amount of tuition can fix a sleep-deprived brain," Gary warns.</p><img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/c0760dc4-f066-48e5-ee59-178f9c878e00/public" alt="Good sleep is still the #1 academic performance booster — and often the most overlooked." /><h2>5. Create a Supportive Environment, Not a Pressure Cooker</h2><p>The Problem:
Teens often feel like they can’t talk to their parents about school struggles.</p><p>The Fix:</p><p>✅ Listen, don’t lecture – Let them express their struggles without fear of judgment.</p><p>✅ Celebrate small wins – Reinforce their effort, not just results.</p><p>✅ Be their ally – Show them they’re more than just their grades.</p><p>"When teens feel emotionally supported, they perform better—not just in school, but in life," Gary emphasizes.</p><img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/f456db86-8496-4991-7170-d8380ed31000/public" alt="When teens feel safe to express themselves at home, school stress becomes easier to manage" /><h3>Final Thoughts: Help Your Teen Succeed with Less Stress</h3><p>Academic success and mental well-being can go hand in hand. By focusing on progress, motivation, stress management, sleep, and a supportive environment, parents can help their teens thrive—without unnecessary pressure.</p><img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/59130c33-0d6a-43b8-9145-8fb52cb10900/public" alt="Confidence doesn’t come from pressure — it grows from clarity, support, and purpose." /><h3>Free Assessment With Gary Tong</h3><p>For a free personal assessment and consul<a href="https://www.cruxialteentest.online/">tation with Gary Tong, visit:
👉&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>https://www.cruxialteentest.online/</p><img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/46f0650d-c506-4cbc-ba00-ff39820b4800/public" alt="Want to know exactly how your teen learns and communicates? Book a free session with Gary Tong today" /><h3>About Ace Digital</h3><p>Ace Digital: Bringing Singaporeans the Insights That Matter
At Ace Digital, we help Singaporeans navigate the challenges of education, career, and personal growth by bringing expert perspectives on topics that impact their lives.</p><p>If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover, let us know! Your challenges shape the stories we tell. 🚀</p>

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Cram school / Preparatory school / Online education

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Coaching / Mentoring / Consultation

Is Your Teen Struggling to Excel Without Burning Out?
Singapore’s education system is tough—but pushing too hard can lead to stress, burnout, and lost motivation. So how do you help your teen succeed academically without breaking their mental well-being?
We spoke with Gary Tong, a Certified Mental Toughness Coach & Psychology Expert, to uncover five game-changing strategies that help students thrive. From boosting self-motivation to reducing stress without lowering expectations, these science-backed tips can transform how your teen approaches school.
Want to help your child excel without constant pressure? Read the full interview here. 👇
 👉 https://www.cruxialteentest.online/


5 Simple Ways to Help Your Teen Excel—Without Sacrificing Their Mental Health

<b>Singapore, July 19, 2024</b> – The Mindfulness Academy, an initiative by the Centre for Mindfulness (Singapore), proudly announces its launch, offering internationally accredited mindfulness training programs. Accredited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA), the Academy provides comprehensive certification and professional development courses, such as:

MTT - Mindfulness Teacher TrainingMOCP - Mindfulness-Oriented Counselling &amp; Psychotherapy TrainingOMF - Organisational Mindfulness Facilitator TrainingSMF - Schools Mindfulness Teacher Training

The Academy offers flexible learning paths and interactive live classes to equip professionals to teach mindfulness to diverse populations, catering to the growing and varied demand for quality in the field of Mindfulness Teaching. The unique approach of Academy seamlessly integrates Eastern and Western practices and focuses on creating social intelligence using mindfulness.&nbsp;

The flagship MTT program which has been offered for 9 years has successfully trained over 50 compassionate and skilled mindfulness teachers in the East and West. These teachers have significantly enhanced community well-being through programs for schools, special needs students, employees, managers, leaders, seniors and people with medical needs.

The Academy courses are evidence-based, reflecting the latest research, and designed by experts with 15-20 years of experience in psychology, counselling, mindfulness, Eastern philosophies, and other well-being disciplines. The faculty members, each with over five years of mindfulness expertise, bring diverse backgrounds and specialized knowledge.

The Centre for Mindfulness is renowned in Singapore and Southeast Asia for its impactful mindfulness programs and research. The visionary founder Dr. Kathirasan K says ‘With the launch of the Academy, we are expanding our reach globally, committed to cultivating embodied, socially driven and skilled mindfulness teachers.’

<p>Who: The Mindfulness Academy, an initiative by the Centre for Mindfulness (Singapore)
Where: Singapore, with a global reach.
When: Launch announced on July 19, 2024.
What: Offering internationally accredited mindfulness training programs, including:

- MTT - Mindfulness Teacher Training
- MOCP - Mindfulness-Oriented Counselling & Psychotherapy Training
- OMF - Organisational Mindfulness Facilitator Training
- SMF - Schools Mindfulness Teacher Training

How: Providing flexible learning paths and interactive live classes, accredited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA), integrating Eastern and Western practices, and focusing on social intelligence through mindfulness.

Additional Information:
- The flagship MTT program has trained many mindfulness teachers in the past 9 years, benefiting various community sectors.
- Courses are evidence-based and designed by experts with extensive experience in psychology, counselling, mindfulness, and Eastern philosophies.
- Faculty members have over five years of mindfulness expertise and diverse specialized knowledge.
- The Centre for Mindfulness is renowned in Singapore and Asia for its impactful mindfulness programs and research.</p> <p><b>Singapore, July 19, 2024</b> – The Mindfulness Academy, an initiative by the Centre for Mindfulness (Singapore), proudly announces its launch, offering internationally accredited mindfulness training programs. Accredited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA), the Academy provides comprehensive certification and professional development courses, such as:</p><p>MTT - Mindfulness Teacher TrainingMOCP - Mindfulness-Oriented Counselling &amp; Psychotherapy TrainingOMF - Organisational Mindfulness Facilitator TrainingSMF - Schools Mindfulness Teacher Training</p><p>The Academy offers flexible learning paths and interactive live classes to equip professionals to teach mindfulness to diverse populations, catering to the growing and varied demand for quality in the field of Mindfulness Teaching. The unique approach of Academy seamlessly integrates Eastern and Western practices and focuses on creating social intelligence using mindfulness.&nbsp;</p><p>The flagship MTT program which has been offered for 9 years has successfully trained over 50 compassionate and skilled mindfulness teachers in the East and West. These teachers have significantly enhanced community well-being through programs for schools, special needs students, employees, managers, leaders, seniors and people with medical needs.</p><p>The Academy courses are evidence-based, reflecting the latest research, and designed by experts with 15-20 years of experience in psychology, counselling, mindfulness, Eastern philosophies, and other well-being disciplines. The faculty members, each with over five years of mindfulness expertise, bring diverse backgrounds and specialized knowledge.</p><p>The Centre for Mindfulness is renowned in Singapore and Southeast Asia for its impactful mindfulness programs and research. The visionary founder Dr. Kathirasan K says ‘With the launch of the Academy, we are expanding our reach globally, committed to cultivating embodied, socially driven and skilled mindfulness teachers.’</p>

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Qualifications / Study Abroad / Language

Who: The Mindfulness Academy, an initiative by the Centre for Mindfulness (Singapore)
Where: Singapore, with a global reach.
When: Launch announced on July 19, 2024.
What: Offering internationally accredited mindfulness training programs, including:

- MTT - Mindfulness Teacher Training
- MOCP - Mindfulness-Oriented Counselling & Psychotherapy Training
- OMF - Organisational Mindfulness Facilitator Training
- SMF - Schools Mindfulness Teacher Training

How: Providing flexible learning paths and interactive live classes, accredited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA), integrating Eastern and Western practices, and focusing on social intelligence through mindfulness.

Additional Information:
- The flagship MTT program has trained many mindfulness teachers in the past 9 years, benefiting various community sectors.
- Courses are evidence-based and designed by experts with extensive experience in psychology, counselling, mindfulness, and Eastern philosophies.
- Faculty members have over five years of mindfulness expertise and diverse specialized knowledge.
- The Centre for Mindfulness is renowned in Singapore and Asia for its impactful mindfulness programs and research.