The days are getting noticeably shorter, the mornings are darker, and for many parents, the post-summer energy in their household has vanished. Experts are warning that the sudden drop in your teenager’s motivation, focus, and willingness to study may not be simple laziness or a refusal to get back into routine; it could be the subtle onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Often mistaken for common academic fatigue, SAD is a form of depression that recurs seasonally, triggered by the lack of sunlight in the darker months. Ignoring these academic red flags now can severely impact exam preparation as the crucial mock season approaches. Lindsey Wright, academic well-being specialist at…