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No matter the time of year, returning to school is an exciting and stressful time, but this time around, feelings are more intense because we haven’t actually gone back to school in a while. Take a moment, acknowledge any emotions you may be experiencing, and then exhale deeply. Those emotions are normal, and you most certainly aren’t the only person feeling anxious about the start of the new school year. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Continue reading for all the advice you require to ease this transition and combat back-to-school anxiety.
1. Describe your feelings in writing.
Delete your thoughts. When you simply keep replaying your worries in your head, they frequently grow larger and more terrifying with each passing second. Write out all of your worries and fears by putting a pen to paper. Simple word vomit will do; it’s not required to be poetic in any way. You can see your anxieties more clearly once you’ve put them all down in writing, and hopefully that will help you feel more prepared to face them head-on.
2. Prepare
There is never a bad time to start getting ready for the first day of school. Prepare your belongings, choose your outfit, and drive the route you intend to take. Make every effort to develop a habit and be ready for your first day by doing everything you can. This will allow you to deal with any concerns you may have about the more practical aspects of your first day (deciding what to eat for lunch or how to style your hair), allowing you to concentrate more on the important issues.
3. Chat with someone.
Going through this alone is not necessary. Your friends probably share your sentiments. Discuss your anxieties with them, your parents, or a qualified person. Talking things out will help you put them into perspective and feel more equipped to handle your fears, just like writing will.
4. Speak with your teachers.
Fearful of another in-person class? If you already know who will be teaching you, use this as an opportunity to get in touch with them and establish a connection. In this way, even if it was only through a few emails, you and your teacher will hopefully already establish a relationship by the time you enter the classroom on your first day. With any luck, you’ll feel more at ease after that.
5. Remind yourself of the good things
You’ve been here before. You’ve attended school a million times. You can still succeed in school even when you took a few months off. Remind yourself of the things you enjoyed about school and will be returning to, such as your sports teams, extracurricular activities, and lunchtime conversations. All of those will still be there when you go back.
6.Understand that you are not alone.
It’s simple to think that you’re the only person facing the world (or, in this case, school), but you’re not. Your situation is shared by all of your classmates. Additionally, they haven’t attended school in a year and a half, and it’s possible that they have the same anxieties. That ought to help you feel a little better and less isolated.
