ESPMiddle school and high school are times of enormous change. Young people are developing new identities, becoming more independent, and navigating increasingly complex social relationships—all while their brains are still learning how to manage emotions.
The return to school often brings pressure to perform academically, concerns about friendships and social acceptance and anxiety about sports, clubs or extracurricular activities.
Recognizing these feelings early can help prevent them from becoming overwhelming. When your child talks about school, resist the urge to immediately solve the problem.
Instead, ask open-ended questions like: "What are you looking forward to this year?"
"What feels different about going back?" "Is there anything you're worried about?"
Sometimes, simply knowing someone is listening without judgment is exactly what they need.
Most experts agree it's normal to feel nervous during the first few weeks of school. But if sadness, anxiety or irritability continue for several weeks—or begin affecting sleep, eating, friendships or school performance—it may be time to talk with your child's teacher, school counselor or healthcare provider.
