How the Start of the Academic Year Impacts Student Stress

Navigating back-to-school season.

Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

Key points

• The back-to-school season often brings both excitement and stress for high school students.
• Rising rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness among students have been observed in recent years.
• Parents play a key role in supporting their children by fostering open communication and trust.

As summer draws to a close, a mix of excitement and uncertainty fills the air — it’s back-to-school season! For many young students, this time brings a return to familiar routines, reconnecting with friends and embracing new learning opportunities. Yet, it can also be a period of heightened emotional and mental strain, as social dynamics, academic pressure, and other stressors come into play.

This is especially true in recent years, when there has been growing awareness and concern regarding student mental health issues. Studies continue to show rising rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts among young students. Rates of adolescent depression rose from 8.1% in 2009 to 15.8% 10 years later, and reports show that the COVID-19 pandemic led to even more symptoms of anxiety and depression as their social connections and support systems were disrupted.

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview renowned interventionist and author Dr. Louise Stanger, who provided valuable insights into how parents can better understand and respond to these stressors. This post will explore how the back-to-school season impacts student stress and offer strategies for fostering mental well-being.

How Returning to School Increases Stress

The back-to-school transition often stirs up a wide range of emotions for students. Socially, they may feel anxious about whether they’ll be in classes with friends or face the challenge of forming new connections. On the academic side, concerns about meeting teacher expectations and performing well can add extra pressure. Even the shift from relaxed summer routines back to structured school schedules can create additional stress.

This is especially true for students undergoing major transitions, like moving from elementary to middle school or from middle to high school. The uncertainty of a new environment, along with unfamiliar peers and heightened academic expectations, amplifies these stressors and makes the return to school particularly daunting during these pivotal years. A recent report highlighted that high school students transitioning to a new school report significantly higher stress levels due to these academic and social adjustments, underscoring the need for support during this period.

Build Connections and Community

Social connections are essential in helping students manage stress throughout the school year. Research shows that strong peer relationships can serve as a protective buffer against mental health challenges, especially during adolescence (Wickramaratne et al, 2022). However, for students lacking these connections — such as those transitioning to a new school — the pressure to form friendships can heighten feelings of anxiety.

Parents also play a key role in supporting their children through these transitions. Experts note that a secure parent-child relationship fosters the confidence students need to build healthy peer connections (Delgado, Serna, Martínez, & Cruise, 2022). By maintaining open lines of communication, parents can offer their children a safe space to express concerns, receive validation, and further build their social confidence.

Dr. Stanger emphasizes the value of encouraging participation in extracurricular activities like clubs or sports, where students can meet peers who share similar interests. These structured environments not only help form friendships but also promote a sense of belonging within the school community.

Watch for Signs of Student Distress

According to Dr. Stanger, one of the most important things parents can do is to remain vigilant for signs of distress in their children, especially during the back-to-school season. “By catching signs early and making resources readily available, we can get students the help they need. Parents must be proactive in recognizing changes in their child’s behavior,” she explains.

A proactive approach is key to supporting students' well-being. Parents who closely observe their child’s emotional and behavioral changes are better equipped to detect early signs of mental health concerns, enabling timely intervention. Warning signs to watch for include prolonged sadness, irritability, social withdrawal, chronic absenteeism or difficulties concentrating. While occasional mood swings are normal, a combination of these behaviors lasting more than two weeks may indicate a deeper issue.

To help recognize these changes, parents can start by paying attention to their child’s daily routines, sleep patterns and social interactions. Look for shifts such as avoiding activities they once enjoyed or becoming unusually quiet or aggressive.

Practical questions can also open up communication, such as asking, “How are you feeling about going back to school?” or “Is there anything that’s been bothering you lately?” By asking non-judgmental, open-ended questions, parents invite their children to share their concerns. Creating a safe space for these conversations is key to identifying and addressing potential issues before they escalate.

Encourage Healthy Coping Strategies

Healthy coping mechanisms are essential for helping students manage the stressors of school life. Parents can help by modeling and promoting coping strategies such as mindfulness, regular exercise, journaling and spending time in nature. Dr. Stanger points out, “Children will model what they see. If their parents engage in healthy coping strategies and maintain strong social connections, students are more likely to do the same.”

In addition to modeling these behaviors, parents can encourage students to explore different methods to find what works best for them. Whether it’s deep breathing exercises before a big test or taking breaks to walk outside, building these habits early helps students develop resilience and emotional regulation skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

By offering consistent support and reinforcing these strategies, parents can empower their children to face academic and social challenges with greater confidence and ease.

The Power of Listening

One of the most effective ways parents can help their children cope with back-to-school stress is through active listening. Dr. Stanger underscores the importance of asking open-ended questions to gauge how a child is feeling, rather than immediately offering reassurance. By taking the time to truly listen, parents can better understand their child’s worries and offer the appropriate support.

When parents listen and validate their child’s emotions, they foster a stronger connection, increasing the likelihood that their child will share their feelings in the future. Parents can then work together with their child to find solutions, whether that means addressing social concerns or creating a manageable academic routine.

Bottom Line

The back-to-school season brings a unique set of stressors for students, but with parental support, they can navigate these challenges effectively. By recognizing signs of distress, encouraging positive coping mechanisms, and fostering strong connections both at home and at school, parents can help their children develop the resilience needed to thrive throughout the academic year. Small actions, like listening actively and modeling healthy behavior, can make a significant difference in supporting student well-being.

© 2024 Ryan C. Warner, Ph.D.