What is executive functioning, and why it matters for teens

I’m a rising sophomore in high school, and like a lot of students, I’ll begin this school year hoping to feel more organized and a little less overwhelmed. Over the summer, I worked as a counselor at a local camp and often took evening dance classes. It was a busy schedule, but the combination of work, movement, and personal growth gave me a sense of balance.

Another meaningful part of my summer was leading workshops for middle schoolers on a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough: executive functioning. We met in small groups, and I introduced tools like time-blocking, planning ahead, and managing distractions, skills that I was also trying to improve in my own life.

So, what is executive functioning?

Executive functioning refers to the mental skills that help you manage time, stay focused, stay organized, and make decisions. It’s how your brain coordinates what needs to be done, when to do it, and how to follow through, especially when motivation is low.

These skills are part of your brain’s prefrontal cortex, which continues developing throughout your teenage years. So if you sometimes struggle to concentrate, get started on tasks, or stay calm under pressure, you’re not alone, and you’re not failing. You’re learning.

Why does it matter?

Because school can be a lot. Between academics, extracurriculars, rehearsals, games, jobs, and social commitments, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. That’s where executive functioning skills come in. They help turn chaos into a manageable routine.

When I was balancing camp and dance, I had to figure out what worked for me. I started packing my bag at night. I made short checklists. I built in time to recharge. These weren’t big changes, but they made a noticeable difference, and I saw the same thing happen with the students in my workshops. One of them said, “I didn’t know planning could actually help me feel calmer.” That stuck with me.

And when I shared those same strategies with middle schoolers? They connected with them right away, because executive functioning isn’t just for school. It’s for real life.

Here’s the encouraging part…

These skills can be developed. Executive functioning isn’t something you either have or don’t; it’s something you can strengthen over time, just like a muscle. Teaching these workshops helped me realize that I was strengthening my own executive functioning, too—every time I planned a session, adjusted in the moment, or helped someone figure out what worked for them.

One of my goals this year is to map out my week on Sundays. It only takes a few minutes, but it helps me start Monday with more clarity and less stress.

Your goal might look different. Maybe you want to keep track of assignments, stay focused in class, or feel more in control of your time. Start small. Pick one thing (and reading this blog entry on building executive functioning skills can help.)  

Each post on this blog will offer practical tools, strategies, and stories that help build these skills step by step. Not perfection; just progress.

FOR PARENTS >>>

What is executive functioning, and why your teen needs it

Executive functioning (EF) is a set of mental skills that help your teen manage time, focus attention, remember details, control impulses, and plan ahead. These skills are rooted in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, a part that’s still developing well into their twenties.

So if your teen struggles to start tasks, stay organized, or follow through, it’s not a character flaw. It’s a developmental stage.

Here’s how you can help:

  • “Talk about EF like a skill, not a personality trait. Try: “What’s your plan for that?” or “Do you want to break it into smaller steps?”
  • Stay patient. When teens feel supported, not judged, they’re more likely to experiment with strategies and build confidence in their ability to manage themselves.
  • Normalize small strategies. Checklists, reminders, and calendars aren’t crutches; they’re training tools for the brain.
  • Celebrate effort, not perfection. EF growth takes time. Praise moments of progress, like remembering to pack for practice without being asked.

Remember, executive functioning skills continue developing into early adulthood. Your role isn’t to remove all obstacles, but to help your teen see challenges as problems they can solve.

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