When Back-to-School Anxiety Hits Early (And What to Do About It)

For some kids, back-to-school anxiety hits the night before the first day. For others, it starts weeks ahead — creeping in slowly as summer ends and school routines loom.

It can look like:

• Sleep issues (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep)

• Stomachaches or headaches with no clear cause

• Mood swings or irritability

• Avoidance of talking about school altogether

This is normal — transitions are stressful, even when they’re positive. But that doesn’t mean your family has to just “wait it out.”

Why This Happens

Change challenges the nervous system. New teachers, shifting social circles, different routines, and academic pressure all trigger emotional responses. For kids and teens, this often shows up as behavior changes rather than words: acting out, shutting down, or clinging.

What Helps

1. Talk about it early. Normalize nerves as part of any transition (“Lots of kids feel this way before school starts”).

2. Reintroduce routine slowly. Adjust bedtime, meal times, and screen time now, instead of all at once.

3. Do a walk-through. Visit the school, meet teachers if possible, or even drive by to reduce uncertainty.

4. Create an emotional outlet. Encourage kids to share worries through drawing, writing, or talking before bedtime.

5. Model calm. Your emotional tone sets the pace. Kids borrow their sense of safety from you.

   
   

When Anxiety Feels Bigger Than Expected

Sometimes, back-to-school anxiety lingers or feels overwhelming. That’s where support helps. Therapy gives kids and teens tools to manage big emotions and adapt to change — while giving parents strategies to respond calmly and effectively.

Transitions don’t have to be chaotic. With a little preparation, you can make space for a smoother start to the school year.

→ Schedule a session with SoMi Counseling