New School Year: Easing Woes For a Successful Year

Although the weather this week still feels like summer, the new school year is upon us. As a school social worker and outpatient therapist, I know the transition back to school can be a challenging one- for adults and for students! If you have a student who is struggling with the transition back to the classroom, here are some ways to help them acclimate and provide extra support: 

Set themselves up for success

Create systems that work for you and your student, such as packing lunch or setting out clothing the night before to avoid feeling rushed the next day. If a student is experiencing separation anxiety, encourage them to bring a small comfort item with them to school as an emotional anchor throughout the day. 

Offer voice and choice when possible

Even though the start of the school year is inevitable, giving children and teens a sense of agency and control over their lives can help reduce anxiety and frustration. This may look like letting them choose what music to listen to during the morning commute or giving them options for their designated “homework time.” 

Get connected to school-based support

Become connected with your child’s teachers and administrators. Make yourself a familiar face and keep an open line of communication between you and the school to ensure your student’s needs are understood within their new environment. 

Practice coping strategies before coping is necessary.

The hardest time to use a coping skill is when your child already feels dysregulated. Practicing coping skills (like deep breathing, counting to 10, using ground techniques, etc.) when your child is calm helps build familiarity with the skill and makes the skill feel easier to implement. Think of it like a muscle- the more you engage in the mental “lift,” the easier it feels to lift it. 

The transition back to school doesn’t need to be seamless and it’s reasonable to expect some bumps along the way. By identifying transitions, sensory experiences, mental demands, and changes that are challenging for your child, you are able to better pinpoint what strategies may help reduce their stress and ease adjustment back into the school routine. If school continues to be a daily struggle, it may be time to consider accessing additional resources and support.

Check out our instagram post here for more tips and tricks in supporting your child in the new school year.

If you are noticing your child struggling, we have child therapists who can help offer some additional support. Some signs include changes in mood (such as irritability, sadness, anxiety), physical changes (changes in sleep or eating, not otherwise explained by medical reasons), or self-reports/ observations of dread, anxiety, or avoidance. Remember, you are not in this alone.

-Ashley Oyer, LSW