Tips for dealing with back-to-school anxiety

For some, the end of the summer holiday and a return to seeing friends each day can’t come soon enough. But for others, just the thought of returning to the classroom can be daunting. Everyone’s school experience is different.

Whether you’re starting in a new form, school or college, there can be a lot of stress around this time. From worrying about making friends to having to sit exams, we all have our own issues and anxieties.

Here are our tips to help calm your nerves in preparation for the new term.

Organise your bag, uniform, books and everything else the night before so it isn’t one big rush in the morning. You could also start to gather things together a few days before, just in case some things take a bit longer for you to find!

Getting plenty of sleep is great for clearing the mind, improving memory and ridding the body of toxins, to make you feel re-energised. It also aids concentration and helps to ease stress.

A few days before you go back to school, set your alarm to the time you'll need to get up for so your body can get used to waking up at that time again.

Try to start the day with a balanced and nutritious breakfast, which will also help feed your mind, support your immune system and boost your energy levels throughout the day.

If you’ve got a new timetable, or new routine, have a look at it a few days before you’re due to start back at school. This can help ease you into your new routine so it doesn’t feel too strange on your first day back, and you know what’s coming.

From homework to exams, don’t try to approach everything at once. Work out how you’re going to prioritise each task and take it step by step. Try keeping a diary or making a list on your phone to keep on top of it all. Planning is key.

Adult life will teach you that it’s not all about exam results, and whatever you get, there are always other options and routes that don’t revolve around top grades. Be who you are and do the best you can.

If you're really dreading going back, try and write a list of the things you are looking forward to. This could be seeing a friend, being in a certain class or an event you may have coming up in your school. Stick it somewhere you can see easily on your first day to remind yourself of the good things you have to look forward to.

If school is really getting you down, remember you're not alone. As difficult as it may seem, talking to a friend, parent or someone you can trust can really help.