Back to School Anxiety - Tips For Reducing Stress

As a counselor, I see many kids that have a dreadwanting to process them. Many kids are afraid they'll
about summer ending and school beginning once again.be labelled an "emo" if they show their feelings.
When they go into the concerns, they revolve aroundIf your child had a negative triangle with three friends
issues of academic pressure, popularity, loss of freelast year at school that always was tense speak with
time, friendship issues and fear of not fitting in. Manythem about being more open to meeting other people.
kids have a hiatus between camp and schoolThree is an odd number and often in a triangle there is
beginning. In this period, there are lots of late nights,one person that is left out. This can result in a lot of
video game playing and movie watching. To adjustanxiety and insecurity in one's standing with the friends.
back to a regimented schedule again seemsFor academic concerns, keep on top of the way your
frightening.child is processing the information. If you can see he or
Keep in mind that once the new pattern begins, it willshe is falling behind, it's good to nip this in the bud by
become familiar again. Dread of school often is partiallyhaving them speak to the teacher or get a tutor.
due to it's anticipation. This doesn't mean that thereCertain subjects are difficult to catch up on once you
aren't ongoing concerns once school begins again.start becoming lost. Check in with them about how
Remind your kids that they can speak with you abouteach subject is going so this can be monitored.
any issues and also that they can always go to theBeing able to process feelings is important for learning
school counselor as well. It's important for them to seeskills to resolve conflicts and issues rather than letting
there is no stigma in having emotional reactions andthings build up internally.