Managing school anxiety this academic year
With back-to-school comes a range of academic and social pressures. A 2024 survey has revealed that 28% of 12-18-year-olds in the UK have avoided school in the past year due to anxiety. Half reported avoiding school and lessons because they could not cope, and 13% skipped school to avoid feeling anxious.
If you want to manage your child's anxiety this academic year, here's what you need to know.
Normal levels of anxiety
It's common for students to experience some level of anxiety at school and even around homework. Understanding what constitutes normal school-related anxiety versus more problematic anxiety can help in identifying when additional support might be needed.
Secondary school transition anxiety
Feeling nervous or anxious on the first day of a new school year or a new school is common. This anxiety often stems from the uncertainty of new classes, teachers, or peers. Moving to a new school or starting a new grade level can cause anxiety due to the unknown environment and the need to adapt to new routines. Adjusting to new teachers, schedules, or classrooms can cause anxiety as students adapt to different expectations and environments.
Test and performance anxiety
It's normal to feel anxious about academic performance. A moderate amount of anxiety can even be motivating and help with focus and preparation.
Social situations
Worrying about fitting in with peers, making friends, or being accepted by a group is a typical source of anxiety. As is anxiety around attending social events like school dances, sports events, or group activities is also common.
3 signs anxiety is a concern
Anxiety can become a concern when it becomes:
1. Persistent and excessive. This means that anxiety interferes with daily activities, even at home.
2. Avoidance based. If your child begins to avoid school, social situations, or activities due to their anxiety.
3. Something physical. Anxiety leads to frequent physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, or trouble sleeping.If anxiety reaches a level where it disrupts a student's ability to function normally at school, it may be time to seek additional support from a school counsellor, psychologist, or mental health professional.
How to help your child with academic anxiety
High levels of anxiety can significantly impact academic performance and lead to a decline in grades. This is because it can be triggered by fear around a specific subject or a core subject and manifest itself as perfectionism and a fear of making mistakes.
While striving for excellence is positive, excessive worry about errors, failure, and a disappointing test result can also be a sign of heightened anxiety that needs to be managed.
If your child starts expressing dislike of a particular subject, avoidance tactics around revision and homework encourage them to focus on effort rather than perfection. Remind them that making mistakes is a part of learning and growth.
Work with your child to pinpoint precisely what causes their anxiety about school—whether it's academic pressure, social interactions, or specific events like tests or presentations.
Teach your child simple deep-breathing exercises they can use when they start to feel anxious—for example, breathing in for four counts, holding for four counts, and exhaling for four counts.
While it's essential to be understanding, avoiding school due to anxiety can reinforce the fear. Work with your child to attend school regularly while providing support and encouragement.
Seek professional help
School Counsellor: If anxiety significantly affects their academic performance or well-being, consider involving pastoral care at school. They can offer tailored support and coping strategies.
A therapist or psychologist specialising in adolescent anxiety can provide deeper insights and treatment options, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).
Communicate with your child's teachers to understand their perspective and ensure they know your child's anxiety. Teachers can often provide insights into what might be happening in the classroom.
Consider a tutor, especially if the root cause is fear around a particular subject. Working one-on-one with a tutor can help alleviate fears of making mistakes and improve coping mechanisms around exams and within the classroom.
Further reading
Back-to-school preparation tips