Here in Roswell, GA we have a little less than one month until school starts again. That’s crazy! It feels like summer 2021 has flown by. One common thing parents and teens tell us is that they are nervous about school starting again. That’s normal. Even though summer vacation is only a couple of months long, we get into a routine. So, shifting back to school mode can be challenging and stressful. But the good news is going back to school doesn’t have to be so hard! Nor does talking about starting teen counseling! Today, I will give you 4 tips to help make the back-to-school transition easier so you can start off on the right foot.
One important part of dealing with anxiety is understanding its role from a biological perspective. First of all, anxiety is normal. Did you know that around 1 in 3 teens experience anxiety? Anxiety is your body and brain’s response to potentially threatening situations. In short, anxiety serves an important purpose; to keep you safe. Sometimes, your body and mind may have a hard time interpreting potential threats. As a result, it reacts and becomes anxious about situations that aren’t dangerous.
The good news is, you’re not alone. Millions of people experience anxiety, and it is very manageable with help.
Talk about it
It is very normal to feel anxious about school starting again. Especially, after the crazy things you likely experienced during the 2020-2021 school year. So, you don’t need to feel embarrassed for feeling nervous about going back to school again. I would imagine that some of your closest friends feel the same way.
Try talking to your family members or even your close friends about how you’re feeling. You’re family and friends have likely experienced similar anxiety. They should be able to empathize with what you’re going through. Sometimes, voicing your concerns can help you find some relief. Likewise, they may be able to share some ideas of things that have helped them manage school anxiety in the past.
Okay, I know this is way easier said than done. Especially, when you’re stressed. But, reframing your negative thoughts into something more positive can help. For example, say you’re worried about making friends at a new school. Try to reframe this negative thought. You might think “I am going to a new school, where there will be new people and new opportunities. That allows me to make new friends with similar interests.”
Reframing negative thoughts into positive ones is something that takes time and practice. But, one thing that can help is journaling. As you write, take a moment to reflect on the thoughts you’ve put on paper. If you see negative ones, take a moment and see if you can change them into something positive.
Get back on your school schedule
Transitions are hard, but practicing them ahead of time can help. It’s tempting to stay up late and sleep in until the last day of break, but this can make going back to school miserable. After all, nothing is worse than a 6 am wake-up call after getting up at 11 am every day.
Don’t over-commit yourself
This one is super important, especially for overachievers. Over-committing yourself to all advanced placement courses, extracurriculars, or work, can increase stress. It may be tempting to do all these things to prepare for college or to impress your friends or family. But, it can wreak havoc on your ability to manage stress and rank your responsibilities in a healthy way. So write out all the things you want to do or feel like you need to do and rank them according to their importance. This will help you avoid overcommitting, which will help lessen your stress levels.
Set goals and write them down
Another thing that can help you overcome your fear is writing down your goals. Put them somewhere visible so you can see them every day. This will help remind you why you’re doing hard things and keep you motivated to meet these goals.
Perhaps, your goal is to make two new friends. Write this goal down and think about what you can do to make these new friends. That may look like approaching someone new in the cafeteria, or it’s joining a new club. Then, when you feel nervous about doing tough or uncomfortable things, you can remind yourself why you’re doing it. Remind yourself what you have to gain by doing hard things.
What you can do if you still need extra support this school year
If you’re looking for extra support to deal with the anxiety you’re experiencing as you prepare to go back to school. Working with a teen therapist can help. They can help you determine why you’re feeling anxious, teach coping strategies, and provide tools to help you through tough times.
Starting teen counseling allows you to work with a therapist and get support before the craziness of the school year starts. Then, you know you will have a support system in place to help you deal with your stress before it begins. Teen counseling offers unexpected benefits, and it is our hope that this will put you at ease and make this tough transition a little easier.
Begin Teen Counseling in Roswell, GA
Returning to classes shouldn’t come with a feeling of dread. You deserve to have support in overcoming your anxiety so you can enjoy the school year. A skilled therapist would be honored to support you from our Roseville, GA-based counseling practice. To begin teen counseling in Roswell, GA, follow these simple steps.
- Contact our Roswell, GA practice
- Meet with a caring therapist
- Start overcoming anxiety, and enjoy the return to school!
Other Services Offered With Wellview Counseling
Teen counseling isn’t the only service we offer at our Roswell, GA-based counseling practice. Other mental health services include anxiety treatment, PTSD and trauma treatment, play therapy, child counseling, individual counseling, social skills groups for kids, therapy for postpartum anxiety and depression, trauma and PTSD treatment, chronic illness counseling, family therapy, and positive discipline parent education classes. We also offer online therapy for anyone located in Georgia. Contact our Atlanta area mental health clinic to learn how Wellview Counseling can help!