Top 7 Tips to Manage Back-to-School Stress

Mental Health   ›   Stress and anxiety  ›   Top 7 Tips to Manage Back-to-School Stress

Going back to school can be a real source of stress: new faces, new places, new routines... Don't panic, this feeling is completely normal! Here are 7 tips to navigate this period.

To remember

👉 Prepare the ground and tame the unknown.

👉 Use positive self-talk, remember you're not alone, and don't hesitate to reach out to friends or a counselor if needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep in Mind: It’s Temporary

Day after day, you’re on more familiar ground, and it’s less and less uncomfortable. Over time, all these new elements become your daily life, your routine, and they feel a lot less threatening. You know the places, you know what your days look like, you recognize faces. Gradually, you feel more comfortable and you can really be yourself.

 

Avoid the Trap of Catastrophic Scenarios

Anxiety makes you anticipate the worst-case scenario: you imagine having a huge pimple the day before school starts, missing the bus, tripping on the school steps, being laughed at because you went to the wrong classroom… all in the same day! These scenarios are rarely plausible and only fuel your stress: they don't help you at all. Practice imagining an alternative ending where everything doesn't turn into a nightmare. Ask yourself: “What if it didn't go that badly, what would happen?”

 

Limit Areas of the Unknown

Go to your new school before the start of the year to familiarize yourself with the place;

  • Find your bus stop;

  • Find out about the people who will be in your class;

  • Set a meeting point with your friends on the first day of school;

  • Find out about extracurricular activities that will allow you to meet new people;

  • Or anything else that can reduce those gray areas that are making your mind race.

You won't be able to know everything in advance, but giving yourself these benchmarks will be reassuring.

 

Use Positive Self-Talk

Instead of constantly repeating to yourself how stressed you are, tell yourself reassuring phrases (examples: “It's going to be okay”, “This is temporary, it will get better soon”, “This isn't the first time I’ve been in a situation like this, and I’ve always gotten through it, it will be the same this time”, etc.).

 

Boost Your Self-Esteem

Listen to your favorite music, wear clothes that make you feel good, think about the nice things people have said about you: all means of boosting your self-confidence are good to help you face a new stressful social situation.

 

Remember: You’re Not Alone in Experiencing this Stress

Your friends are probably just as stressed as you are about going back to school. Talk to them to remind yourself that you’re not alone and identify a trusted person you can confide in if needed.

 

Seek Help

Does going back to school paralyze you? Is it preventing you from sleeping or doing your usual activities? Does it persist throughout the school year? It might be a good idea to talk to a counselor.


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