student with school related stress and anxiety

It’s normal for young people to feel worried or nervous about school. School can be a complex and sometimes overwhelming environment- filled with academic pressures, social dynamics, and constant change. For some students, these worries can become more intense and impact their school experience. In some cases, it can even impact whether a student is able or willing to attend school at all.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to support students with school-related anxiety, the following suggestions can offer helpful guidance and provide a strong place to start.

Create a Safe Space to Talk

Invite your child to have open, judgement-free conversations. Let them know that anxiety is a normal and valid emotion. Reassure them that you’re there to support-not to fix or judge. Providing a thoughtful space to listen deeply is an important place to begin understanding what they are experiencing.

Identify the Challenge

Help your child identify specific situations that cause anxiety- such as tests, social interaction, or school related environmental factors. Understanding the root cause of the great first step toward finding helpful strategies.

Here are a few conversation starters to guide this process:

What part of the school day feels the hardest for you?
When do you start to notice yourself feeling nervous at school?
What does anxiety feel like in your body? (e.g., stomachache, racing heart, headache)
Are there certain places at school that feel overwhelming
Are there certain people at school that make you feel feel nervous or overwhelmed
Where do you feel the most ease or calm at school?

Try a Small Change

Once you and your child identify an area of difficulty try making a small, intentional change. It can be something as simple as adjusting bedtime to ensure more restful sleep, tweaking breakfast for more energy and focus or practicing a calming routine before school begins.

Sometimes small tweaks can have an impact on how a child might start to feel throughout the day. Here are some school-based interventions to consider:

Check-in with a trusted adult: Arrange for your child to touch based each morning with a school counselor, advisor or supportive staff member
Use drop-in counseling services: Many schools offer flexible, on-the-spot support for students feeling overwhelmed.
Access calm-down or break spaces: Some schools provide designated areas where students can reset during the day.
Incorporate calming tools: Headphones for soothing music, fidget tools, or guided breathing exercises can be helpful in the moment.
Explore Formal Accommodations: If your child has an IEP or a 504 Plan, talk to the school about support such as:
- Testing in a quiet, separate setting
- Small group instruction for certain subjects
- Extra breaks of modified schedules

Reaching out to your Strategies for Learning Clinician is also a great next step. Our clinicians know your child well and can offer insight into their strengths, as well as areas where they might benefit from additional support. We’re here to partner with you and be an active part of your child’s school team.

In addition to working with your clinician, connecting with school staff, mental health professionals, or other parents can provide valuable perspective and support. By creating a space for open dialogue, identifying root causes and trying thoughtful and targeted strategies, you can help your child feel more confident and supported as they navigate the school day.

Written by Joi Ward, M.Ed, MA Special Education