What is back-to-school-blues?

August is here again, and with it comes the feeling of uneasiness and anxiety due to the upcoming new school year. While some kids and students eagerly anticipate it, for others, it's a challenging time. Back-to-school blues can be defined as anxiety, moodiness, and a sense of increased pressure to perform well at school. As the new school year approaches, so does the feeling of anxiety. 

To start off the new school year on healthy foundations, it's important to properly identify and manage back-to-school blues.

The causes of back-to-school blues

Usually, the cause of back-to-school blues is the fear of the unknown and uncertainty related to new classes and teachers, along with the anxiety connected to the pressure to have good grades at school or university.

Other causes of the back-to-school blues might include a lack of adaptability, experiences with bullying and isolation among peers. Additionally, perfectionism and imposter syndrome are frequent causes that make us feel we're never good enough.

Why is back to school stressful?

Kids, students, and parents all experience back-to-school blues in their own unique ways. 

For kids, the stress is often caused by the perceived high expectations to perform well in school from their parents and teachers, along with the fear of disappointing these authority figures. 

For students, stress may arise from adjusting to new lectures and the perceived difficulty of juggling their work, lectures, and study time. Additionally, perfectionism is common among students, as their sense of self-worth is closely tied to their academic performance.

For parents, the stress is usually linked to the financial implications of the new school year. Also, there are new obligations that come with it, such as helping out with their child's homework, preparing lunches, driving kids to school, and similar responsibilities. 

How to manage stress and anxiety caused by the new school year?

One of the best pieces of advice we can give regarding back-to-school blues is to focus on improving everyday organization and planning efforts.

What parents can do to manage stress?

To manage stress, parents can take the following steps: 

• Plan in advance
• Allocate household responsibilities to other family members
• Prepare for the new school year in a timely manner
• Stick to routines that have proven helpful
• Work on communication with your kids
• Plan your budget accordingly
• Allow yourself & your kids a downtime to unwind at the end of the day
• Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you feel overwhelmed

How to reduce school stress for your kids?

To reduce school stress for your kids, consider the following strategies: 

• Encourage them to ask for help anytime
• Be involved in their daily school activities if possible
• Offer help with homework
• Notice behavioural change patterns that may indicate anxiety or stress
• Encourage them to connect and collaborate with other kids
• Find ways to keep them physically active
• Maintain a consistent homework time
• Praise your kids for all the effort they are showing

What students can do to reduce stress?

To reduce stress, students can take the following steps: 

• Improve time and money management
• Recognize and work on their perfectionism issues
• Avoid excessive isolation during exams and connect with a group for support
• Maintain physical activity
• Follow proper sleep and eating patterns
• Find time to relax and unwind to avoid burnout