Straight A’s: Accepting Back-to-School Anxieties
Category: Anxiety
Let’s explore the two most important “A’s” you’ll experience this back-to-school season: anxiety and acceptance.
Topic Of Discussion
The start of a new school year usually leads to a mix of excitement and unease for both students and parents. It’s totally normal.
As students get excited to see which friends are in their class for the year, parents might be counting down the days until they can get back to the daily routine of having the kids in school. At the same time – especially once that first school bell rings – it’s easy for everyone to feel overwhelmed. New schedules, academic pressures, and social dynamics can be no joke. Remember, though: these anxieties are valid and manageable. So, before getting stressed about being stressed, try acknowledging these feelings rather than pushing them away.
Let’s explore these two (most!) important A’s: anxiety and acceptance.
Anxiety
Anxiety often manifests as physical and mental symptoms. For a student, this might look like a racing heart, a stomach ache, or trouble focusing on homework. For a parent, it could be a restless night’s sleep, tension in your neck or shoulders, or constantly worrying about your child’s well-being. Take comfort in the fact that these are just your body’s natural “fight or flight” responses kicking in. Are these feelings uncomfortable? Sure, but that doesn’t mean that they’re a sign of weakness. By reframing them as a normal part of experiencing change, you can not only stop beating yourself up but also hopefully tolerate the discomfort as you make the shift.
Acceptance
In other words, accept your feelings! As a parent, you can model this by saying, “It’s okay that we’re both feeling a little nervous about this new school year.” This not only validates your own feelings but also teaches your child that it’s normal to feel this way. Try taking a moment to breathe deeply and shift your focus from what you can’t control to what you can. By accepting feelings and focusing on what it’s possible to control – like keeping track of due dates or getting enough sleep – both students and parents can respond to normal back-to-school pressures with kindness and intention, not fear.
Wrapping it up
If you and your family are struggling to cope with back-to-school jitters, you definitely aren’t alone. Our counselors at Tri-Star Counseling are happy to provide you with support and encouragement during this busy season and get you back-to-cool in no time.
