Back-to-School Anxiety: How to Cope with First-Week Jitters
- Back-to-school anxiety can cause trouble sleeping, frustration, clinginess, headaches, stomachaches, and refusal to attend school.
- Parents can ease first-week anxiety by validating concerns, restoring school routines, preparing the night before, and making the school environment more familiar.
- Anxiety that interferes with school attendance or daily activities may require support from a pediatrician or mental health professional.
For many children, a new school year brings excitement — a new teacher, new classmates, and a fresh start. But for others, heading back to the classroom can bring a very different feeling: anxiety.
From worrying about making friends to being away from their parents, there are plenty of reasons children may feel nervous as summer comes to an end. While some jitters are normal, parents can play an important role in helping children feel more prepared and confident as they return to school.
Why do kids get anxious about going back to school?
Starting a new school year means adjusting to change. Kida are leaving behind the more relaxed routines of summer and returning to structured schedules, academic expectations, and social situations.
For younger children, anxiety may center around separating from their parents. Older kids and teens may worry more about friendships, fitting in, schoolwork, sports, or navigating a new environment.
Signs of back-to-school anxiety can include:
- Trouble sleeping or changes in sleep
- Frustration or strong emotional reactions
- Clinginess or difficulty separating from parents
- Headaches or stomachaches, particularly before school
- Repeatedly asking questions about what will happen at school
- Avoiding conversations or activities related to school
- Refusing to go to school
Talk about what’s worrying them
If your child says they’re nervous, resist the urge to immediately respond with, “There’s nothing to worry about.”
Instead, give them an opportunity to explain what’s making them uncomfortable. A concern that seems small to an adult can feel overwhelming to a kid.
Parents can acknowledge the concern while showing confidence in their child’s ability to handle it.
Open-ended questions such as, “What are you thinking about when you think about the first day?” can also make it easier for children to share specific worries.
Bring back the school routine
Summer often means later bedtimes, sleeping in, and less structured days. Suddenly changing that routine on the first day of school can add another layer of stress.
For children still on summer break, gradually return to consistent bedtimes and wake-up times before school starts. Having kids eat breakfast, get dressed, and prepare for the day on a school-like schedule can make the transition feel less difficult.
Make the first day feel more familiar
Uncertainty can fuel anxiety, so giving children an idea of what to expect can help.
If possible, visit the school before the first day. Walk around campus, find their classroom, and practice the drop-off routine. For kids starting at a new school, even driving the route beforehand can make the environment feel more familiar.
Keep your own anxiety in check
The first day can be emotional for parents, too, but children often look to adults for cues about how they should react.
Try to keep conversations about school positive and reassuring without promising that everything will be perfect. Instead of repeatedly asking whether your child is nervous, talk about specific things they may be looking forward to, such as seeing a friend, meeting their teacher, or returning to a favorite activity.
At drop-off, a calm and confident goodbye can also help communicate that school is a safe place and that you believe they can handle the day.
When is back-to-school anxiety more than first-day jitters?
For many kids, nervousness improves once they settle into their new routine.
But parents should pay attention when anxiety continues, becomes more intense, or begins interfering with a child’s ability to attend school or participate in everyday activities.
Stomachaches or headaches that don’t go away, frequent trips to the school nurse, difficulty at drop-off, or regularly refusing to attend school may signal that a child needs additional support.
Parents should also consider whether something else may be contributing to the anxiety, including bullying, learning challenges, or problems with classmates.
If anxiety is significantly interfering with your child’s daily life, talk with their pediatrician or a mental health professional. Getting support early can help kids develop healthy ways to manage anxiety and feel more confident as they begin the school year.