It is back to school time! Many students will be feeling a whole mix of emotions regarding their return to school, especially following two years of disrupted education. New teachers, students, and learning environment may result in students feeling worried about going back to school.
Each student will navigate their apprehension differently, however, during this transition time parents and guardians can assist stressed students through the following:
Open Communication
Students can feel stressed and anxious about their return to school. Carers should openly encourage an open dialogue by asking questions about their feelings and thought processes. This may be through asking open-ended questions or leading questions enabling students to identify the root causes of their anxieties. It is important to give students space to speak freely, with guardians actively listening and providing reassurance.
Anxiety
However, if the level of anxiety is worrying and above a reasonable level or lasting significantly past the beginning of the academic year, these concerns should be communicated with the school. Help will then be provided, with external resources being signposted to assist in the navigation of a potential anxiety disorder diagnosis.
Social Concerns
Moving schools, year groups, or classes can result in previous support networks and friendship groups being separated. Whilst this offers opportunities for students to diversify their friendship groups, it is daunting for students to have to step out of their social comfort zone. Suggesting that students arrange a time to catch up with previous classmates may assist students with the changing social environment.
New Academic Expectations
Progressing onto a new academic chapter means new challenges and expectations. This may be more intense homework, classwork or new challenges such as report writing. Students may be facing anxiety about falling behind academically and feeling incompetent compared to fellow classmates. Students should get into an effective routine, in order to allow them to place their best foot forward, this means adjusting to a school routine and returning from the summer sleep schedule.
At Crescent Tuition, we provide Resilience training allowing students to understand that whilst the pursuit of excellence is commendable, they have to have an awareness of the negative impact the pursuit for perfection can have on the most talented students. We are able to provide coping mechanisms and training so that students can perform consistently without the crippling pressure of having to get the top grades.
Supplementary tuition can also be provided, ensuring that students remain on top of the new academic content and understand its application in an exam setting.
