It’s that time of the year again. School has started, and your child may be coming home feeling stressed. Why is school so stressful?
Our therapists at Rebound Total Health see young clients who are feeling the pressure. There are many possible reasons why school can feel stressful, especially at the beginning of the school year. This can be true for students of all ages and stages, from pre-school all the way up to graduate students.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why school is so stressful for some kids and how to reduce stress for students so that your child has a better experience during the school year.
Why Is School So Stressful? 5 Key Reasons
Some reasons for feelings of stress around the beginning of the school year include:
Changes
The beginning of the school year can mean big changes in schedules and routines for the whole family. This can feel like a huge transition if you’ve been off for the summer or are starting a new school or program. You might need to wake up at a different time, or travel somewhere you haven’t been before. Adjusting to a new schedule and getting settled into a new routine can take time.
Unknowns
Not knowing what your schedule might be or who might be in your classes can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety. You haven’t done this particular grade, course or program before, and that can be exciting and also nerve-wracking!
Pressure
Especially at the beginning of school, it might feel overwhelming to know that you have tests and assignments coming up. You might feel pressure to perform well, and that can add to feelings of stress and anxiety.
Social Changes
A new school year can often mean changes in your social life. You might be starting a new school or have a new teacher. Meeting new people for the first time can feel challenging.
Home Life
There are many ways that changes in school can affect home life routines. Starting post-secondary studies might mean living away from home for the first time. Figuring out how to make time for homework might mean shifts in other areas of life.
How To Reduce Stress In Students
The good news is that there are things that you can do to support yourself during stressful times at school! Here are some of the top recommendations from our Rebound Total Health therapists:
Stress Reduction Techniques
Activities such as Mindfulness meditation practices, breathing techniques, physical exercise and time with family and friends can help reduce stress and anxiety. Bonus! When we’re feeling calmer, this can also help us learn better, too!
Positive Self-Talk
Engaging in self-talk that is understanding of the challenges we’re facing and promotes self-compassion and self-kindness can be a great source of support through stressful times. Acknowledging milestones and successes as they happen can be a powerful way to reduce challenging feelings around difficult situations. Back to school shopping? Check!! First day of school? Done!! Meeting your new teacher for the first time? You did it!!
Self-Care
Recognizing and supporting ourselves in different areas of self-care can help us feel better when taking on new challenges. Eating and sleeping well, exercising regularly, having regular social connections, and enjoying time doing hobbies can help us feel good and reduce stress levels.
Asking for Help
Leaning on others can be a great source of support through difficult times, and this can come in many forms. Whether it’s connecting with a friend, parent or partner for a hug or asking them to listen while you talk about what’s going on, or finding academic help for an upcoming assignment or test, or connecting with a therapist who can support you through challenging times, you don’t have to handle the stress alone!
Stress Therapy at Rebound Total Health For Children and Adolescents
When simple solutions aren’t enough, and your child is still struggling with stress, talking with a therapist can help resolve issues.
At Rebound Total Health, we share how to reduce stress in students struggling with a new school year and ongoing challenges. We’re committed to providing them with the support they need for better mental health and outcomes. If your child or adolescent is struggling, book a consultation for an in-person appointment in our Hamilton office or virtually online.
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