Easing the Back-to-School Jitters
Memories of the beginning of a new school year flood my mind each August as I see school supplies on display in stores and try to remember when each different school district begins. There is an excitement and a nervousness in my soul about the new year even though I graduated a long time ago. A new box of 64-count crayons in elementary school, brand new shoes, and even two-a-day football practices all hold special places in my memory, reminding me of the excitement and anxiety that came with a new school year. Wondering who would be in my class and who my teacher would be was always a mystery, eagerly waiting to be solved on that first day of school. Then, the first day of a new grade would arrive. I would enter the school anxious about the day and leave the school excited or nervous to return the next day or possibly frustrated because I had homework to do.
My concerns as a student of another day and another time are still valid concerns for students today. Students wonder who their teacher will be and what a new grade will be like for them. Students face a new school year with a mix of emotions. The reasons vary from child to child, but students tend to feel anxious about starting school still today.
So, be supportive of students as they begin a new school year. Let students know that you are interested in their education and any anxiety that they are experiencing about the new school year. Here are some ways that you can support students:
- Show interest continually and be supportive and encouraging.
- Talk to a student about what to expect, such as the activities, the schedule, and the other students.
- Take a student to school to get used to the layout (where the classroom is, where the bathrooms are, which locker or cubby hole is that of the students, and possibly introduce the student to the new teacher.
- Let a student know that feeling nervous or worried about a new school year is expected.
- Identifying a buddy at school can also help decrease fear about being alone in the new setting.
- Make the back-to-school routine as stress-free as possible by preparing the night before. Lay out all notebooks and clothes in advance. Involving your child in school preparations, such as making lunch, can also help reduce stress for everyone.
- Pray for your student daily and let them know that you are praying for them.
With your support and encouragement, a student's anxiety will ease, and they will face a new school year with more confidence.
God is Faithful!
