How to help your student with back-to-school anxiety

Going back to school can be a time of great changes and excitement. New clothes and boxes of crayons pair with a sense of new opportunities for learning and growth. For some students, however, it can be a time of great stress and uncertainty.

The big question is how we can help students in this situation have an easier transition into the school year. Whether your student is dealing with short-term anxiety related to the back-to-school transition, or a diagnosed anxiety disorder, these tips can help make returning to school a smoother experience.

Prepare for the transition

The new school year brings a lot of new things with it–teachers, classmates, classrooms–and this is especially the case for students going into Kindergarten, middle or high school, or a new school.

All of this newness can bring a lot of uncertainty with it. The best way to combat that uncertainty is to make preparations! Many schools have back-to-school nights before the start of the school year, where students can meet their teachers and familiarize themselves with their school and classrooms. Attending these events also provides students and caregivers a chance to ask questions or bring up any concerns.

Caregivers can also help students prepare by doing a practice run of the pick-up and drop-off procedures (whether that is driving by the school or bus stop) and practicing an after-school routine.

If the school year has already started, it’s not too late to create routines and help your student get familiar with their school. Reach out to your student’s school and see if you can arrange for a chance to meet the teacher and tour the school.

Listen to their worries

It can be easy to brush off worries about returning to school, but it is important to take those worries seriously. According to the Child Mind Institute, “listening to them and acknowledging your child’s feelings will help them feel more secure.”

Listening to your student helps them feel validated in their feelings and shows that you are there to support them through this transitional period. Opening that communication at the beginning can also help as students face anxiety throughout the school year.

Check on basic needs

Feeling ready for school can be hard enough when everything else is going fine, but if a student is sleep deprived or hungry, their anxiety can increase. Transitioning from a summer sleep schedule to a school sleep schedule is crucial, and prioritizing breakfast can go a long way as well. When your student has the fuel and the rest that they need, their mind and body will both be more prepared to learn.

Assess your feelings

If you notice signs of anxiety in your student, it may be time to do a self-assessment. Back to school can be a stressful time for caregivers too! Unfortunately, your student may notice and mirror your anxiety.

If you find that you are experiencing anxiety too, take some time to figure out why. Try modeling anxiety-reducing techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness exercises.

You may also want to check in and make sure you aren’t getting frustrated about your student’s anxiety. That frustration can also increase feelings of anxiety. Try taking a step back and practicing those same anxiety-reducing techniques.

When it’s time to get extra help

Sometimes a student’s anxiety goes beyond normal back-to-school jitters. If your student’s behavior worsens or begins to impact their health, it may be time to talk to a mental health professional about additional strategies that may help.

It’s also important to note that your student may qualify for additional services and accommodations if they have a diagnosed anxiety disorder. Talk to your student’s school to see if they can evaluate whether your student qualifies. Communication with your student’s teachers can also help to make sure that your student is getting the support they need at home and school.

Stay positive

As parents, caregivers and guardians, it is important to model a positive attitude towards this challenging and overwhelming time. By staying positive, you provide emotional support and encouragement that helps your child to also stay positive. Your overall attitude during the back-to-school period sets the tone for them and their school days ahead.

Set realistic expectations

Setting realistic expectations for students dealing with back-to-school anxiety is crucial. Such expectations help alleviate pressure and boost confidence. By focusing on achievable goals, your student can experience gradual growth, resilience, and maintain a positive mindset. By adopting realistic expectations for back-to-school, students gain a more positive relationship with learning and a path forward to academic success.

Meeting new people and making friends

If you’ve ever been the new kid in school, you know how scary it can be to try and make new friends. If your child will be attending a new school, or transitioning from elementary to middle or middle to high school, you may want to help prepare them for making new friends. It can be hard being in a bigger school, or at a school where they have fewer peers they know, so you can help them by teaching them what to look for in a good friend. This goes beyond finding someone who’s nice and they get along with. Letting them know that they are not alone and that many other children are feeling just as nervous as they are will help calm any nerves about trying to make new friends.

Join us at Maggie’s Place!

If your student is looking to make a great group of new friends, we welcome you to join us at Maggie’s Place! Our award-winning after-school childcare and enrichment programs held at Sunnyside Elementary, Longfellow Elementary, and our Learning Center in Idaho Falls have been recognized recently as “Best After-School Provider” and “Best Childcare Program.” From STEM robotics to homework help, group games, core curriculum and very friendly and accommodating staff, our aim is to make every day special!

Also, if your student needs some extra help with academics, check out one of our two tutoring centers in Eastern Idaho: Maggie’s Place Tutoring Center- Idaho Falls, and Maggie’s Place Tutoring Center in Pocatello, where we help our students reach new levels of academic success!

All of us at Maggie’s Place look forward to an amazing 2023-24 school year, and are thankful to all those in our community who are working hard every day to support our awesome students! For more information about Maggie’s Place, check out our website or call (208) 502-1112.