Managing Back-to-School Anxiety: Tips for Students and Parents to Cope with the Stress of a New School Year

By Abu Dhabi 360

Back-to-school anxiety is not uncommon among students and parents alike. From first-day jitters to worries about academic performance, the start of a new school year can be a stressful time. Dr. Haseeb Rohilla, an Adult Psychiatrist working with Abu Dhabi 360, explains, “Anxiety, if not addressed, can affect a student’s academic success and overall well-being.”

Dr. Haseeb adds, “In recent years, we have witnessed a growing number of young people with low self-esteem and social anxiety. Infact, anxiety is the largest single driver behind 10 to 19-year-olds seeking treatment, with a quarter of our patients experiencing this issue.”.

To better navigate this period, the Emirate-wide initiative, Abu Dhabi 360, launched by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has compiled a series of practical strategies, and coping mechanisms, focusing on promoting a positive mindset for the new school year.

Start a Regular Sleep Schedule: Establishing a consistent sleep schedule can significantly boost a child’s mood and school performance. Essential bodily functions and brain activities occur during sleep, contributing to concentration, clear thinking, and memory processing. The brain cycles between non-REM and REM sleep, with each cycle playing a critical role in health. While needs vary, experts suggest 9-12 hours for school-aged children and 8-10 hours for teenagers.

• Talk About the Upcoming School Year: Communication is key in addressing and understanding your child’s anxieties. Discussing their feelings can help them feel more prepared and less anxious. This open dialogue can also provide you with insight into their worries, enabling you to offer reassurance and solutions where possible.

• Practice Mindfulness: Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help manage anxiety. Regular practice of mindfulness increases grey matter in the brain, which aids in improving emotional regulation and can reduce anxiety levels. The Abu Dhabi 360 app provides guided mindfulness exercises that can easily be incorporated into daily routines.

• Encourage a Positive Mindset: Cultivating a positive mindset can be an effective way to manage stress and anxiety. Encourage your child to view challenges as opportunities for growth and to see mistakes as learning experiences. This shift in perspective can boost their resilience and overall mental health.

• Stay Organised: Keeping track of schedules, assignments, and deadlines can help reduce feelings of being overwhelmed. This sense of control can significantly reduce stress and help students feel more capable and confident.

• Reach Out to Teachers: Teachers can be an excellent resource for students feeling anxious about the new school year. Encouraging communication with teachers can alleviate many back-to-school worries and can foster a supportive learning environment. A simple conversation can make your child feel heard and understood, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety.

It’s essential to remember that feeling anxious about the new school year is entirely normal. But with the right strategies and tools, students and parents can turn these anxieties into a positive and proactive start. For a wealth of resources on managing back-to-school stress, remember to turn to the Abu Dhabi 360 app – a hub of well-being tips and guidance, offering support at the touch of a button.