Back To School Stress? Here's What To Do
The dreaded end of summer vacation. Most students, parents, and even teachers feel an increase in stress and anxiety as the start of the school year rolls around. The anticipation of new classes, teachers, or even a new school can be really daunting. It can be helpful to give your teen some practical strategies to make this transition easier.
My 5 Healthy Habits for Teens Going Back to School
Plan Ahead: Collecting any school supplies that may be needed for the coming year a few weeks before the first day can help eliminate that last minute scramble to get everything together.
Adjust Sleep Schedules: For the vast majority of teens, summer vacation entails a very different sleep schedule than school does. In the last couple of weeks of summer it can be helpful to start going to bed earlier, and setting some morning alarms to help the transition to school scheduling go smoothly.
Practice Time Management: In your back to school shopping, make sure to get a planner that works for your needs. Tracking homework, activities, as well as personal events is important to help manage stress and decrease the chance of forgetting an assignment. In practicing time management it can also help to break down large assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks
Mindfulness and Relaxation: For many teens school is a huge source of stress. Finding a mindfulness or self-care routine that works for them before the start of their busy school year will be a large part of their ability to manage stress.
Open Communication & Social Support: It is important to check in with your child about fears and concerns within the new school year. Lending an ear or a helpful hand can make a big difference in them not feeling like they have to manage everything on their own. Speaking with students about their expectations of themselves and your expectations of them is also important to ensure they feel they are not drowning in their goals.
Building these healthy habits before and during the school year can be helpful in managing that back to school stress. Most importantly of all, remind your teen and yourself that your mental health takes precedence over school. The healthier the kids, the better the student.
Need more professional support? Mindful Healing’s Avoiding School Avoidance Group is open for registration now! This group helps teens who are avoiding going to school, doing homework, or participating in extracurricular activities. We teach teens skills to overcome academic pressure and stress and develop the skills they need to create meaningful social connections. Group sessions begin August 21, so check it out and sign up while seats are still available!