We can all remember what starting a new school year is like. It’s exciting, it’s scary, and it’s upon us. The students in your life are experiencing their summer break ending and thoughts of starting new classes and new subjects with new teachers. It’s a stressful time that can make going back to school challenging, which makes it our time to support them as they go on their way.

Creating opportunities for communication gives them space to share how they are feeling. Getting a conversation started with your student can be tricky. A barrage of questions will most likely be answered with “I don’t know” or a shrug that can stop a conversation before it even begins. A softer way to give them an opportunity to open up is to ease into it by using an “I noticed” statement. This way it will be much more likely they will reply with details that you can build a conversation on. For example, instead of asking “Why are you so nervous about school?”, turn that question into “I noticed you seem a little nervous about going back to school.” Then listen. If they don’t respond, let it go and try another time. If they do, it’s your opportunity to give them the advice and assistance they need.

Summers spent with late nights and lazy mornings will be a thing of the past and hard to give up when the school year starts. It may sound childish, but now is the time to start enforcing regular bedtimes. What students need the most and always seem to have the least of is sleep. A study published by The National Library of Medicine states that “Sleeping not only relieves stress … but also prolongs alertness and memory recall.” All things your student needs to do well in school. Getting them into the swing of going to bed at a decent hour and getting up early in the morning now will soften the blow when the first day of school rolls around.

This is an especially important time to supervise and limit their screen time. Chats, instant messages and text chains can be exceptionally stressful this time of year with all the anticipation flying around between your student and their friends. If you haven’t already, think about using a monitoring app like OurPact to view screenshots of your student’s activity and schedule screen time. Be open and honest about monitoring their online usage, stressing that it’s about their well-being and safety and not about invading their privacy. Setting good clear boundaries around when they can have access and what they are allowed to have access to can help them create a healthy balance between online and offline activities. Show them how good being offline can be by implementing device free activities like family meals, movie time or outings. Spending time offline will provide them with relaxing downtime away from the online chatter.

Time management is an essential skill for everyone, and it’s especially true for students. With impending due dates for papers and projects and exams looming it can be particularly stressful for students to think of meeting all those deadlines. Implementing a time management system before classes start can help lower schoolwork stress. Create a calendar, either online or posted on the wall so you both can have a clear picture of how their days will be spent. Emphasize that doing schoolwork efficiently will open up more time for extracurricular activities. Flexibility and revisions are all part of the time management process so when school starts work together on any schedule changes to ensure a healthy school life balance.

Of all the things that students need to reduce their stress the thing they need the most is you. Present going back to school as a fun and exciting time, filled with new possibilities and adventures. Assure them that you’ll be there for them as they go through it all, congratulating them for their successes and working with them through troubling times. This may result in eye rolls, but keep at it. They’ll be glad you did.

Does this sound like you? Someone you know or someone you work with? Supporting students can be a challenge to face on your own. The RCNY teams of Academic and Executive Function Coaches are here to help. Whatever level of support your student needs, our coaches work with them, and you, to provide the coping skills and tools and techniques needed to smooth out student stress. For more information have a confidential conversation with Cindy via phone at 631-921-4085 or reach her directly via email here.

Whatever stage of mental health recovery you are in, whatever level of support you need, a member of our coaching team can guide you through assessing your strengths and developing goals for next steps. The Recovery Coach NY honors all paths of recovery with years of experience and a vast array of resources that can support those in need find the way to the life of joy and purpose they deserve. We come with an empathetic ear and solution-oriented actions that can begin to bring the relief you or your loved one seek.

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