As a parent or caregiver, it’s hard to hear that your child is scared to go back to school. But whether it’s anxiety about going back to school after break or just general school fear and refusal, how you respond can make all the difference. 

Properly addressing a fear of going to school starts with having empathy for the very real feelings your teen is experiencing. Below, we’re exploring some of the reasons behind fear of school, plus advice on how you can help your child cope. 

What’s Behind Your Child’s Fear of Going to School?

It’s normal to feel stress over big transitions, and this includes things like going back to school after a break. However, if your teen’s stress has crossed over into extreme fear and anxiety, there’s probably more going on behind the scenes. 

Common sources of anxiety for U.S. teens include academic pressures, social concerns, and changes in the school environment, and 57% of teens report being very worried or somewhat worried about school-based gun violence. Add these concerns to the fact that going back to school is a time filled with unknowns, and it makes sense that your child might be reluctant to resume their studies. 

Some signs that your teen may need extra support during this transition period include:

• Constant worrying
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Difficulties concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Social withdrawal

Physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, shortness of breath, and nausea also suggest that your teen is experiencing more than just a standard amount of anxiety about going back to school after break – and that they need your help managing and reducing the anxiety they’re feeling. 

Support Strategies for Teens Experiencing a Fear of School

When teens fear going back to school, they may be unable to think rationally about what’s ahead. As a parent, you can’t make this fear or anxiety disappear. What you can do, though, is provide them with coping strategies for calming their minds, easing their worries, and changing how they think about the back-to-school shift. Here are some ways to do it. 

• Prior to the first day back at school, set and stick to a new school routine that will add predictability to the days ahead and give your child a clear indication of how their days will be structured.
• Encourage your teen to talk openly about their fears with you, and do your best to listen to and acknowledge these fears. It’s important not to discount how your teen is feeling or respond with well-meaning but empty platitudes about how it will all be okay. 
• Do your best to make sure that your teen is prioritizing sleep, eating a balanced diet, and getting in plenty of physical activity. 
• Do some research into relaxation strategies with your teen and try out things like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing techniques together. 
• Speak positively about school, and try to focus on the parts of school that you know your child enjoys, such as seeing their friends or engaging in a certain club or sport. 
• Remind your child that school anxiety is normal and that other kids feel it too. 
• Ask your child open-ended questions about what they’re experiencing. If they’re not comfortable speaking about their fears, consider giving them a blank notebook to write down what’s going on and how it’s making them feel. 

Depending on how your teen is coping, it could be worth seeking out professional help as well. A licensed therapist, psychiatrist, or even a school counselor can provide your child with an additional safe space for discussing their worries. 

Get Designated Support for Teen Anxiety and School Refusal

There is not always a quick fix for dealing with anxiety about going back to school after break. In some instances, your teen’s fears may be the sign of an underlying anxiety disorder or other mental health condition. 

If your teen is struggling to cope with back-to-school fears even with your support and compassion, we invite you to get in touch and learn more about teen and adolescent treatment programs at Paradigm Treatment. We offer comprehensive programming for teens who are dealing with anxiety, school refusal, and other mental health concerns, including residential care with academic support to ensure your child doesn’t fall behind. Your child does not have to deal with school anxiety alone – and neither do you. Please contact us for more information on our teen treatment center and services, and figure out a path forward that is right for your family.