Are you feeling worried about being back at school? It’s normal to be anxious when meeting new teachers, chatting with new classmates, or even going to a new school.
Adrian Low, a psychologist who studies stress, says back-to-school anxiety can be caused by feeling pressure to do well, from parents, teachers or yourself.
It’s OK to feel nervous
Sometimes, you may not want to go to school because you don’t want to be away from home or your parents. If you feel this way, it can be helpful to talk to someone about your emotions.
If you are worried about your grades, Low suggests setting realistic study goals based on your abilities. After deciding what you want to achieve, you can break it into smaller steps to focus on each week.
But if you’re stressed about being bullied, it’s important to talk to someone you trust. It’s tough to learn when other people are unkind. A parent or teacher can help you find a solution.
Reflect on your emotions
Another part of dealing with back-to-school fears is trying to understand how your emotions affect you. What do you think about when you feel worried? Does your body react? What do you enjoy about school?
Write these down, and try taking deep breaths. Life always has good and bad, and we can find ways to balance the two.
If you still feel overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to talk about it with a friend, parent or teacher.
Find the words in the puzzle below to test your understanding of the vocabulary in this story.
