---
title: "My Experience of School: Upstream Chronic School Absenteeism Prevention"
description: "A student-facing workbook that validates lived experience and helps students identify barriers, triggers, supports, and realistic steps for re-engagement and attendance."
url: https://ymhc.ngo/resources/books/my-experience-of-school/
---

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![Cover of My Experience of School: Upstream Chronic School Absenteeism Prevention](https://ymhc.ngo/_astro/my-experience-en-photocopiable.BoSXMlGX_1P9lDN.webp)

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Workbooks

# My Experience of School: Upstream Chronic School Absenteeism Prevention

By Sheryl Boswell

A student-facing workbook that validates lived experience and helps students identify barriers, triggers, supports, and realistic steps for re-engagement and attendance.

[Choose a format](https://ymhc.ngo/resources/books/my-experience-of-school/#buy) 

## About this resource

"My Experience of School" by Sheryl Boswell is an interactive workbook with hands-on, evidence-based activities, designed to support students of all ages who struggle with school attendance.

Upstream prevention of chronic school absenteeism provides the groundwork for early intervention by identifying challenges, needs, feelings, thoughts, and strategies. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an internationally renowned human rights advocate, once said, **_“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”_**

This engaging workbook offers practical tools and exercises to help students navigate their experiences, challenges, thoughts, and feelings about school while building resilience and strength.

**Key Features:**

-   Strength-Based Activities: Focuses on identifying personal strengths and motivations to build confidence and a growth mindset.
-   Emotional Awareness: Encourages self-reflection and tracking of feelings and mood to help students understand and manage their emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
-   Problem-Solving Skills and Scenarios: Provides tools and strategies to manage school-related challenges.
-   Families and Schools: Workbook activities include useful exercises for understanding warning signs of school mental health challenges for early intervention and support. The exercises will assist families and schools in understanding the individual needs, strengths, and challenges of students.

This workbook is ideal for students experiencing school attendance challenges. It’s a valuable resource for families and schools. Schools will gain much insight into student experiences and educational needs to provide inclusive, accessible, and individualized support.

This workbook validates the feelings and thoughts of students with school challenges, empowers them with the tools, skills, and resources to manage their fears, anxiety, and thoughts, and provides a supportive framework for student well-being that increases their ability to attend and engage with schools.

## Formats and languages

Add what you need to the cart and keep browsing. Payment is completed on the secure YMHC shop checkout. [Compare formats](https://ymhc.ngo/resources/workbook-formats/comparison/)

-   ### Photocopiable licence
    
    A PDF by email for schools and organizations: unlimited photocopies within the organization at the same mailing address.
    
    You will receive the photocopiable license as a PDF file through email. Please note that this is a digital item and not a tangible product.
    
    [See price and buy on the YMHC shop](https://store.ymhc.ngo/products/my-experience-of-school-upstream-chronic-school-absenteeism-prevention-photocopiable-license)
    

## About the author

[Sheryl Boswell](https://sherylboswellymhc.ca/) is an educator and has taught elementary, secondary, post-secondary, and adult education students in Canada and Africa. She is a suicide loss survivor, a child and youth mental health expert, and the Executive Director of Youth Mental Health Canada (YMHC). A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of all educational resources go to YMHC.

## Copyright

**Please be reminded that your book may not be distributed, reproduced, or shared with others without proper authorization.** If you find that you would like to share the content of the book or make copies for educational or professional purposes, we encourage you to explore our Photocopiable License options available on our website. By purchasing a Photocopiable License, you can legally share the book with colleagues, students, or any other interested parties without violating copyright laws.

[Understanding the copyright restrictions on YMHC resources](https://ymhc.ngo/resources/copyright/)