Many students are filled with excitement and curiosity as they head back to school. They can’t wait to see their friends, make new friends, meet their teachers, and learn new things.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for all students. This can be a stressful transition that causes students to feel consumed by nervousness and stress. Let’s discuss why back-to-school anxiety is common, warning signs to look for, and what you can do to make returning to school less stressful for your child.
What Causes Back-to-School Anxiety?
The specific underlying causes can vary but may include:
- The shift in routine from summer relaxation to a more tightly structured schedule – getting up in the morning, going to school, moving from class to class, leaving school, doing homework, participating in afterschool activities, bedtime, etc.
- Attending a new school (kindergarten, middle school, high school, starting school in a new town after moving, etc.).
- The unknown factor – new teachers, teachers with a reputation for being tough, new classmates, schedules, bus drivers, etc.
- High expectations in academics, sports, and extracurricular activities.
- Social pressure, from fear of bullying to having someone to sit with at lunch.
- Separation anxiety for younger children when leaving parents or caregivers.
- Logistical challenges for parents that unintentionally transfer to children.
Warning Signs of Back-to-School Anxiety
Back-to-school anxiety can have physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, including but not limited to:
- Pain and discomfort (headache, stomachache, nausea, muscle tension)
- Change in appetite
- Difficulty sleeping (falling asleep, staying asleep, frequent nightmares)
- Irritability and frustration
- Fear and frequently seeking reassurance
- Avoidance and isolation (withdrawing from school activities, social functions, family and peer relationships)
One symptom doesn’t mean a child has an anxiety disorder. But if you notice significant changes or patterns that affect their life in and out of school, and they don’t go away in a week or two, it could be time to seek help.
How You Can Reduce Back-to-School Anxiety
Symptoms often appear in the days leading up to school or during the first few weeks back. The sooner you take action, the more manageable the transition becomes. Here are a few tips.
- Gradually shift to a more structured routine. This will make the schedule more predictable and the transition less abrupt and overwhelming.
- Avoid avoidance. For students who don’t want to go to school or engage with teachers and peers, it’s tempting to just let them stay home. But this can make their anxiety stronger and avoidance easier, and it won’t help them overcome negative feelings.
- Contact the school. Reach out to teachers, counselors, and other support staff to seek help and proactively build relationships to help your child feel safe and supported.
When It’s Time to Seek Counseling
If back-to-school anxiety doesn’t improve and starts to affect your child’s school performance and their well-being, contact us to find out about our mental health services. We can help you identify the underlying causes and work on strategies to help your child move forward. Call our Access Center at 1-800-963-3377 to get started.
