Thanks for reaching out to us. First, I want you to know that you’re not alone in feeling stressed about the coming school year. It’s normal to feel anxious or scared about transitioning back to the school environment after a long time away. Whether you’re concerned about seeing your peers or dealing with deadlines and grades, that feeling of worry is normal.
At the same time, you might want to think about ways to cope with that worry. Thinking about how you handle the stress of school now, before the year starts, might help you to feel more calm and prepared. You could consider writing a journal about whatever is stressing you out. Then, as a next step, you could think about what needs to happen so you are prepared for those stressful situations when they come. For example, if the thought of assignments and deadlines is scary, maybe it would help to buy yourself an agenda or calendar.
Another way to deal with stress about the upcoming year is to practice self care. Think about ways you can take care of your body and mind, like getting a good night’s sleep, taking time to go outside, making or eating food that helps you to feel good, or getting some exercise. It might also help to talk about your stress to somebody you trust, like a friend or family member – as I said before, it’s very common to feel anxious about starting school, so chances are the person you confide in will connect with your feelings of stress.
If these ideas aren’t helping, or if the stress starts to feel overwhelming, you can always call us at ConnecTeen – we are always happy to talk about things like stress and anxiety! Our 24-hour phone number is 403-264-8336. You can also text us at 587-333-2724 on evenings and weekends.
ConnecTeen
