Handling back to school anxieties
Heading back to school for some young people can be a time full of excitement and a chance for a new beginning however, for others it may seem incredibly daunting and scary.
This time of year, for many students of all ages can be filled with different anxieties and stress – The stress of meeting new people, being in a new environment with a different pace than at home, worrying about their new learning or having important exams to study for.
Although our young people may not directly mention how they are feeling, they may show signs of distress before the term begins. From a blog by ‘The Kid Coach’, they share that students will often have trouble sleeping, throw more tantrums than normal, complain of headaches and get angry or moody more easily. These are tell-tale signs that they may not be dealing with the transition back to school in the healthiest ways.
What you can do to ease their anxieties:
Plan their weeks with them by running through their timetables and talking about any worries they may have about their schedule
Make sure they have all equipment and uniform ready which may put them as ease if they feel more prepared to begin
Talk to them and allow them to express what is causing them to stress and provide solutions and a different, more positive outlook on the matter
Change their sleeping patterns - The more sleep they get, the lower their stress levels will be
Remind them of all the positives of going back to school such as, seeing their friends and being able to get back into a good routine
Let them know they are not alone in their feelings as many other students will be feeling the exact same way and will have the same worries about beginning the new school year
If it is exam stress, you can offer to help them study or give them tips on how best to utilise the time they have left
It’s common for young people to have these anxieties which may make them feel as if they are falling behind or not meeting the expectations set - which ultimately causes more stress, a dislike of school and possibly a refusal to even attend.
It’s so important that we’re aware of our young people and their mental health when transitioning back to school. We all want what is best for our young people and want them to be in a good headspace and have a positive outlook on learning so they can make the most of these key years of their life.