The start of the new school year can be exciting for many students, but it can cause anxiety to increase. Whether you are a student entering kindergarten, middle school, high school, or walking into your new college dorm, a transition is always a bit stressful. You may be worried about making new friends, the workload, or acclimating to a new building or school. With an estimated 31.9% of students experiencing some type of anxiety in their lifetime, going back to school can enhance these feelings. Back to school anxiety is completely normal and understandable, however there are many strategies you can implement to help ease the transition.
What is Back to School Anxiety?
Just like regular anxiety, back to school anxiety can show up differently for everyone. Although it is normal to experience anxiety before a new transition, for some it can be more intense than others. Additionally, back to school anxiety is not just for young kids, as many high school and college students experience it as well. Some common back to school anxiety symptoms may include:
Mind: Intrusive thoughts/racing mind, negative self-talk, inability to focus, excessive worry
Body: increased heart rate, sweating, nausea, headache, dry mouth, tiredness
Behavior: restless sleep, shaking of hands or body, fidgeting, crying or yelling, pacing
There are common patterns that back to school anxiety can take on, including: separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and health-related anxiety.
Separation anxiety is when a child is afraid of being away from their caregiver. Although separation anxiety is a natural part of development in the younger years, it can continue for some into older childhood or even adolescent years. Separation anxiety can therefore cause anxious feelings going to school away from the caregiver they are attached to. Additionally, separation anxiety can occur in relation to the home, pets, friends and routines. These anxieties can make it hard for a student to leave home in order to go to school. It is totally normal to feel separation anxiety from seemingly “small” things that are not just the primary caregiver.
Generalized anxiety is often associated with constant worrying. In the school environment, this could be worrying about new friends, new work, or a new classroom. Additionally, generalized anxiety can cause just a general sense of worry, even around things that aren’t necessarily new.
Individuals who experience social anxiety experience fear related to interacting with others due to a fear of being judged. This could also be due to previous bullying, friendship troubles, or perceived poor social skills.
Especially within the past couple years with COVID-19, many students may have a fear of being exposed or getting sick. This could lead to health-related anxiety. Unrelated to COVID-19, other health-related anxiety concerns can come regarding increased freedom over food choices, the pressure to look a certain way, newfound anxiety about puberty, or topics learned in health class. As students age and become more aware of their health, body, and choices, this can definitely increase anxiety surrounding these things.
Ways to Manage Back to School Anxiety
It is important to understand and learn how to manage back to school anxiety so that it does not affect your academic and personal life. One way to combat back to school anxiety is to focus on the positive aspects of school. Think about things you are excited for on the first day of school. That could be seeing your friends again, or even just going home at the end of the day. Thinking in a positive mindset can ease the negative anxiety.
Additionally, the school counselor is there to help! Letting your school counselor know you are anxious about going back to school will let them know to check in with you more. They are a great resource that is available for use, and their job is to help you navigate these stressors! If you don’t feel comfortable with your school counselor, seek help in another way. There are many professionals out there that can help you manage and overcome back to school anxiety.
Lastly, for parents, school refusal is a real thing. If your child is refusing to go to school, it is important that you still have them go! It is necessary to stress the importance of attendance with your child, as well as still leaving space for mental health days and flexibility. Finding a balance is key.
Neolth and Back to School Anxiety
If you are a student, parent, or teacher who is looking for more resources to support and learn about how to best navigate back to school anxiety, Neolth is a digital stress and mental health support program for students and educators. We’re on a mission to help youth stress less, build resilience, and become a part of our compassionate community. Our app helps youth when they’re feeling overwhelmed with self-guided content, personalized for your mental health journey. Neolth has a growing community of Student Ambassadors from 170 schools and works with schools to improve access to mental health support for their students and teachers alike. You can learn more at neolth.com or sign up today at cloud.neolth.com.
About the Author:
Ali Green (she/her) is the Lead Editorial Intern at Neolth, and a rising undergraduate senior at Emory University. As a student studying psychology, she found a huge passion for mental health. Upon discovering Neolth and then becoming accepted as an editorial intern, she became super excited to be able to bring awareness, education, and resources to students worldwide. She believes that it is important to create more accessible education and support around mental health issues to reduce stigmas and increase understanding. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, graphic design, and reading.
