Back to school clothes. Back to school supplies. Back to school parties. They’re everywhere! This time of year, you can’t escape the fact that it’s back to school time. For some of us it’s a time of rejoicing. For others of us (me) it’s a time of sadness (I always hate to see summer go). For many it’s a time of stress and worry.
Back to school stress can arise for many reasons:
- The start of a new school
- Struggles with friends
- Trouble with academics
- Difficulty with classroom behavior
- Hatred of homework
- Fears of a new teacher
The good news is, many back to school worries can be managed in the days and weeks before the first day. Here are some tips:
Practice the first day. Many of us worry about the unknown. So why not take the guess work out of the first day? Pick out an outfit, get the back pack ready, make a trial lunch and drive to school – just to see what it will be like on the big day. Many schools even allow nervous students a sneak peak into their classrooms before the official first day of school. I often recommend this to families, as getting a glimpse of the school, classroom and teacher can do a world of good to the stressed-out student.
Talk about it. This is one almost seems too easy to actually work – but it does! Many of us hold in our fears and worries, allowing them to fester and grow. Instead, allow your student a chance to talk through their thoughts about going back to school. You might be surprised about what they are worried and excited about!
Keep expectations in check.  While having high and clear expectations can be a wonderful thing, going over them and over them right before school begins might be a breeding ground for stress. Instead, enjoy the last few days of summer before hammering out expectations for homework, grades and extracurriculars.
For more tips on conquering back to school stress, check out these articles:
