Anxiety and tips you can give to alleviate the apprehension

For a child of any age (including teenagers and university students) going back to school can bring up lots of feelings. They might be happy to go back, wish they were still at home or want to be somewhere else completely. If they are going back after being off from the holidays or for any other reason, they might be worried about:

• What the school will be like when they go back
• Catching up with work and how they are going to be assessed
  
• Seeing friends again
• Being bullied
• Starting a new routine, or coping away from home
• Keeping safe
• Problems at home worsening by returning to school 

The website ChildLine Going back to school is a great website to signpost children to with back to school concerns.

Some useful tips it gives includes:

• Talking to a teacher or parent
• Accessing the ChildLine website 
• How to be more assertive
• An art box to draw a picture of how they feel and what they want to change
• Making friends

As well as the Childline website another useful resource you can signpost parents / guardians / carers to is the Parents Back to School website.

Some useful pointers include:

• Focusing on the positives
• Finding a support system
• Doing something positive about their concerns
• Maintaining quality, open communication with their child
• Taking tips to reduce stress 
• Seeking professional help