Bullying

Worried About Academic Pressure – often  particularly anxiety producing for teens who struggle with perfectionism

A History of Experiencing Extreme Anxiety in School

Concern About Other Students’ Behavior – In a  recent survey by the National Center For Education Statistics, 56 percent of schools reported increases in classroom disruptions due to student misconduct

Scared Of Being Rejected Or “Cancelled” By Peers

Anxiety About School Shootings

Fear of COVID Contagion

Post-traumatic Stress Related to the 2020 Shutdown

and Remote Schooling

Social Anxiety

Nervousness About the Unknown – A new school, new classes, new teachers, etc.

                                                                                      Ryan Fedoroff, M.Ed.

• Establish morning and evening routines. Stick to a schedule, including a regular wake-up time, breakfast, family meals at night, and a set lights-out—preferably with phones turned off an hour before bed. “Kids thrive in an environment that feels predictable, and it can help to calm any anxiety or stress about going to school,” Ryan says.

• Ask open-ended questions. How should a parent respond when a teen asks, “Why am I scared of going back to school?” or “Why am I nervous to go to school?” The best way, Ryan says, is to ask more questions so you can better understand what they’re feeling and the reasons for their anxiety. 

• Offer affirmations and validation rather than solutions. You might not be able to fix whatever your teen is nervous about. But you assure them that it’s natural to be nervous and they are not alone in feeling this way. “Let your teen know that it’s normal and okay to be feeling a range of emotions at this time,” Ryan says.

• Connect with your child’s school. If a teen is nervous about their ability to handle their academics, stay in touch with their teachers about assignments and expectations. Parents can also reach out to the school guidance counselor to let them know about a teen’s back-to-school anxiety. 

• Visit a doctor or mental healthcare provider. If being scared to go back to school progresses into symptoms of acute or chronic anxiety, more support is necessary. “If you see concerning or potentially dangerous behaviors in your teen, talk to a professional for guidance,” Ryan says.

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