UW Health Offers Tips to Ease Anxiety in Students Returning to School

Tuesday, August 17th, 2021 -- 10:00 AM

(WMTV) Many area school districts are preparing to welcome students for a new calendar year, while parents try to ease the back-to-school nerves their children may be experiencing.

It’s natural to feel some anxiety as that first day of school approaches. For high school students specifically, the pressure to perform well can be very high. Dr. Marcia Slattery is a UW Madison Professor of Psychiatry & Pediatrics.

She specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry and anxiety disorders in kids, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Slattery expressed concern that some teens may feel they are behind the curve after a year of virtual learning.

She said getting a consistent sleep routine in check will help them balance out these emotions and get their brain and body back in sync. Health professionals also suggest making a priority list ahead of the school year.

It is easy for high school students to over-schedule and overwhelm themselves, so focusing on what’s most important can help them create balance. For middle school students, the transition from grade school to middle school can be a substantial one.

Dr. Slattery encourages parents to speak to their children about their concerns from a strength-based perspective. Another tip she gave is to psychically write out a list of concerns and solutions.

Then, parents can review the list with their child before bed each night leading up to the first day of school. Younger children in grades K-5th may be excited to attend school, but not so sure about leaving mom and dad all day.

Especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of younger kids have grown attached to their parents and feel safe at home. Dr. Slattery said it may be a good idea for parents to practice separating now, so their kids don’t have such a hard time when school starts.

Even small steps like picking out the first-day outfit in advance, walking to the bus stop, and asking your child to pack themselves a lunch can help ease them back into school mode.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.