Back-to-School Anxiety
The back-to-school season can stir up anxiety for many youth and parents. Some nerves are typical! After all, going back to school often involves a lot of new things—a new classroom, new teachers, new classmates. It can also be exciting or a mix of feelings. Many children and teens look forward to seeing friends more regularly or getting back into school year activities. For typical back-to-school nerves, there are some things that can help youth feel more confident in managing the anxiety and adjustment.
Communicate
First, it can help to talk through worries. Sometimes kids are worried about something that parents have information about. Sharing the information that you have can be helpful. For example, kids might be wondering about drop off or pick up times or procedures, whether they will drive to school, walk, or take the bus, or other logistics. Ask your child if they are interested in the information you have. Be honest about what you don’t know and when that might change (e.g., We’ll get your schedule the week ahead of the start of school.”)
Validate
Second, it is helpful to acknowledge the anxiety and that it is hard to face fears at the start of the school year. Letting your child know you understand that this is hard can help them feel seen. After making sure they know you understand they feel anxious, you can also ask if there are any other feelings about the start of the year. Sometimes youth feel anxious about some things and excited about others, so it can be helpful to have a balanced view.
Encourage
Pairing validation with encouragement is supportive. Saying things like “I know this is hard and I know you can do it.” If youth faced fears at the start of the last year and adjusted well, you might also ask them about this— “You were nervous last year, what helped you then?” or “I remember you feeling nervous last year, was it what you expected?”
Adjust schedules ahead of time
Helping your child start getting to bed and waking up close to the school year schedule can ease the adjustment. Starting a couple of weeks ahead of the start of school can get them used to that part of their routine.
Try a practice run
If the school is new for your child or there are changes to your routine from the year before, you might ask your child if they want to do a “practice run.” This could be as simple as walking the route to school. Or it could be driving to the school to see where the drop off or pick up is so your child can envision where they will need to go.
Consider additional support
When these strategies aren’t enough or if your child already struggles with school avoidance, a psychologist or therapist may be helpful in learning to manage anxiety. A psychologist can develop a plan for facing fears, including school avoidance. Many children and teens with anxiety avoid situations or things that make them nervous, and that can include school. Getting kids back into school as early as possible is generally recommended because returning gets harder the longer a student is out. A psychologist or therapist can identify key steps to support getting kids back into school. It may also be necessary to identify and resolve problems that are contributing to school avoidance. Getting back to school can be really hard work, which is why a psychologist or therapist can work closely with a family to develop a plan that is the right pace for a child or teen struggling with school avoidance.
Professional support is available
Brave Minds Psychology Center for Child Anxiety offers evidence-based therapy to support children, teens, young adults, and parents in learning to manage anxiety in order to thrive. Based in Southern California, telehealth services are available for residents across the states of California and Illinois. In-person services are available in the Temecula Valley (office located in Murrieta, CA). Contact us for a free consultation.
**The information provided in this post is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is essential to consult with a qualified mental health professional for any specific concerns or needs.
