6 Strategies for Students to Deal with Back-to-School Stress.

Every fall, people all across the US enjoy a change of seasons that brings cooler temperatures and a shift in scheduling for those with school-aged kids. Students return to school and parents come along for the ride as students adjust to their new grades and the new expectations placed on them for the upcoming year. Studies have shown that students today are more stressed than ever before, as nearly half of all students report being extremely stressed out on a daily basis and nearly a third being somewhat stressed. We all know education is important and doing well in school is a key to the future success of younger generations. Here we take a look at how we can help students deal with back-to-school stress so that they can focus on their priorities and accomplish their academic and personal goals.

Be Proactive—Plan Ahead & Stay Organized

Beginning each school year on the right foot is vital. Mindlessly jumping into a new academic year with no preparation, regardless of the grade level, is a recipe for stress and academic struggles. Do your best to plan out your schedules for the upcoming year, whether they involve school, sports, church activities, or more, so that the entire family has a clear expectation of how busy they will be. You can help students plan homework time accordingly and get ahead on certain assignments or projects so they aren’t pressed for time as the deadline nears. Additionally, having appropriate school supplies and staying organized from the beginning will minimize stress significantly. A weekly planner, notebooks for each subject, and a clean backpack go a long way in keeping stress levels low and productivity levels high.

Stay Active & Eat Well

A good diet is another important factor in minimizing stress levels. Healthier foods have certain vitamins and nutrients that are linked to better moods, improved immune system, increased focus, and more. At the same time, unhealthy foods can bring about blood sugar imbalances, fatigue and sleep disturbances, poor concentration, and more. Additionally, staying active will help keep your energy levels up and give you a way to work through your stress physically. Being active will also help you sleep better and will improve your concentration and focus.

Get Enough Sleep

Everyone knows that a lack of sleep can bring about too much stress and unproductivity, but it can be hard for adults to get enough sleep, much less teenagers. The general recommendation for teens is to sleep for 9 to 9.5 hours each night, but most teens get around 7 hours of sleep per night. Not only can a lack of sleep affect your mood and your stress levels, but it can also affect your concentration, productivity, and positivity when it comes to completing tasks and performing well on school assignments. A nap or a good night’s sleep can do wonders for your overall mood and your stress levels, so make sure teens are getting enough sleep each night.

Have an Outlet

Having some sort of hobby or outlet to escape day-to-day stress is a great way to help students manage their school-related stress. This may be an after-school activity, such as yearbook or art club, or it may be some sort of athletic activity, like a dance class, baseball practice, or cross country event. Some students may simply need a set amount of time each week to just be alone or spend time with friends. Know what works for your student and allow them time to do what they need to do so they can de-stress.

Try to Get to the Root of the Problem

Oftentimes, students can have so many stressors in life that they aren’t even sure what the biggest issue is. They may have a big test coming up that is the primary stressor, but little assignments, an upcoming sports event, or a social gathering may be contributing to their stress as well. Rather than figuring out the root of the stress and handling that issue in smaller steps, they may just become overwhelmed by all the stressors and feel paralyzed. Working through the various stressors and creating action steps to overcome each one will help students face problems one at a time and in more manageable ways, allowing them to de-stress and better manage their upcoming tasks.

Be Positive

Keeping a positive mindset and attitude is a huge part of managing stress. Encourage students to speak positive phrases over themselves, such as “I can do anything I set my mind to” and “I am a smart, capable person.” Reminding themselves of these positives mantras daily will help with general stress management, but even in the midst of a stressful situation, students can tailor their positive phrases to the particular circumstance to encourage themselves and practice positive thinking.

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