There are hundreds of fellow students walking through those halls, it’s loud, and no one seems to be able to find their way to class. Once in class, teachers introduce themselves and their work for the year, a workload that is so heavy that you can only hope seems to be worse than it actually will turn out to be. This is a new start, with people who may have changed so much that they may as well be completely new.
The new school year ends up being a time of great anxiety for students. From summer to school is a massive change in your everyday routine. School demands approximately 7 hours out of your day, and in addition to that, there are extracurriculars and homework that take up even more time. This is a massive change in routine for students. According to a WebMD article on dealing with change. “Even positive change can be upsetting to some. This is because a once-comfortable way of life will soon look different. You’re put out of your comfort zone, which makes it harder to deal with change.”
Change can cause great stress for students. Stress is more complicated than just a bad feeling. “…behavior like inattention, withdrawing from friends, family, and activities, more tearful or less cheerful than usual, difficulty sleeping (or sleeping too much), loss of appetite (or overeating), or increased irritability, are some signs [of stress]” reported University of Utah Health in an article on Back-to-School stress. They continue with physical symptoms, “…quick breathing, stomach aches, feeling too hot, tense muscles, diarrhea, or needing to go to the bathroom more than usual [can be symptoms of stress].” The way a life is led can change in reaction to stress. These habits created due to stress can be detrimental to mental or physical health.
Alongside the stress of the start of school comes stressors that could happen anytime in the year. Being overwhelmed and overstimulated, experiencing struggles with family or friends, getting sick, any of these things can worsen the stress already created by school. When faced with this, it’s important to find ways you can combat it.
Making time to focus on yourself and take care of yourself can be a game-changer when dealing with stress. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend trying to “Eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and give yourself a break if you feel stressed out.” They go on to suggest “Try to do some other activities you enjoy”. Making school the constant of every moment only causes more stress. Practicing self-care and allowing yourself free time and proper self-care can make a large load feel much smaller.
Also recommended by the CDC is connections with others. “Share your problems and how you are feeling and coping with a parent, friend, counselor, doctor, or pastor.” Having someone you can talk to can already alleviate stress, even if they don’t find a way to lighten the load. Keeping silent only helps to internalize your struggles and your feelings. A willing listener can offer validation and be a needed support.
Stress isn’t something easily fixed, but you can develop ways to better cope with it. The Director of Psychology Training at Huntsman Mental Health Institute CJ Powers, states “When something is important to you, and the future is uncertain, worry is NORMAL.” There is nothing to be ashamed of when feeling stressed. Through the creation of good habits and support, stress can be better controlled, and the start of the school year can become a smoother transition.
