How to deal with back to school anxiety

Going back to school can cause children to feel stressed and anxious and it is commonly known as Back to school anxiety. Changes in routine and uncertainty about what the new school year will bring are common concerns that can cause children to feel this way. Furthermore, some children may be anxious about school-related factors such as separating from their parents, feeling pressure to fit in, being bullied at school, feeling academic or athletic pressure, and so on.

Signs of Back-to-School Anxiety

Some indications that your children may be experiencing back-to-school anxiety can include: 

• Repeatedly asking questions like ‘Will I fit in?’, ‘Will any of my friends be in my class’, ‘Who will I sit with at lunch’, ‘What if I don’t understand the schoolwork?’
• Increasingly complaining of physical pain, such as stomach aches or headaches when there are no physical symptoms 
• Signs of diminished energy or concentration
• Loss of appetite
• Crying or sadness
• Changes in sleeping pattern
• Refusal to go to school or any school-related activities

How you can help as a parent

Establish consistent routines

While other aspects of your children’s lives can be unpredictable or cause them to feel anxious, having a consistent routine can help to create a stable and predictable environment at home. This can include morning and evening routines, as well as fixed eating schedules. Make sure your children are getting enough sleep and eating well, as these factors can contribute to a healthy lifestyle and mindset.

Talk to your children. 

Make an effort to communicate with and support your children. Encourage them to share their concerns and fears with you, and assure them that it is normal to feel this way. Ask open-ended questions and listen attentively to their concerns and feelings.

Take a problem-solving approach.

While you may want to reassure your children that nothing bad will happen and that they should not be concerned, this can sometimes lead to a cycle of anxiety. Instead, take a problem-solving approach. Acknowledge how your children are feeling and encourage them to consider how they might handle various situations. Talk to them about their concerns, and then brainstorm ways for them to handle these situations together. This can include asking them what they could do or who they could turn to for assistance. This will allow your children to feel prepared and equip them with some tools to handle stressful situations.

Help them to feel prepared. 

One thing you can do to help your child feel more prepared is to take them to school ahead of time. You can walk around together and figure out where their classes are. You can also see if your child can meet with their teacher ahead of time to ease some of their worries.

Encourage positivity. 

Encourage your children to focus on positive aspects instead of their worries. Ask them what they are excited about at school and what they like about each day. One idea to encourage positivity is to leave an encouraging note in your child’s lunchbox.

Set a good example. 

While back-to-school anxiety can also be stressful for parents, keep in mind that children often look up to their parents and learn from their actions, so try to model the behaviour you want to see in your children. Show them that they have no reason to be afraid by being confident. At the same time, talk to them and support them in their fears. Tell them that you, too, get worried at times and offer advice on how you deal with stressful situations.

Inform someone at school.

If you or your child believes they need additional support, notify someone at school – this could be their teacher, a counsellor, or anyone else who can assist. People who work in schools are often trained to deal with such situations and can help your children by talking to them, checking up on them, or walking them places during school hours, if necessary.

Seek help from a mental health professional.

If your child’s anxiety persists for an extended period or interferes with their grades or schoolwork, you may consider seeking help from a mental health professional who can provide your children with the support they need.

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