It’s hard to believe that we are just a few days away from going back to school. Many families are settling back in from summer vacations, trips to watch their favorite Major League Baseball team (Go Braves!) play, or even go to their first Savannah Bananas game.

Preparing for School

Preparation for returning to school includes many tasks: buying school clothes, new backpacks, school supplies, and making sure the school calendar is uploaded into your digital calendar. Maybe your students have adjusted their bedtimes and they need to be adjusted back to ensure the right quantity of sleep for school.

Stress and Unhealthy Coping Skills

Students, in recent years, have reported significant levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. 45% of American college students surveyed reported higher-than-normal levels of stress. One of the common coping skills students use when they feel stressed is isolation.

Isolation

Isolation is often used as a coping mechanism because students feel overwhelmed, and the effort required to connect with others feels too demanding to be worth the investment of their time and energy. By isolating, these students lose a sense of belonging to a group. Their experiences feels unique instead of a shared experience with their peers. They miss out on opportunities for team building in study groups or late-night pizza runs. These experiences are essential for stress reduction as well as for gaining new forms of inspiration for their growth as a young adult. For high school students, isolation might mean dropping out of extra-curricular activities that they used to find enjoyable. These students are less interested in learning clubs, band, or athletics.

Substance Use as a Coping Skill

As students report higher levels of stress, they might turn to substances for coping. If you grew up in the 80’s and 90’s, you might remember the famous scene in Saved by The Bell where Jessie Spano becomes addicted to caffeine pills as a way of coping with the stress she was feeling to keep up with her academic and social demands.

Your student might not be turning to caffeine pills; however, this scene depicts the struggle students feel to be able to keep up with their demands. Today, students are utilizing THC, ZYN (nicotine), and alcohol for coping skills.

Healthy Coping Skills for Stressed Students

If you want to help equip your students for success in school, equipping them to learn healthy relational skills with their peers will pay dividends in the future. Did you know that 80+ percent of jobs are found as a result of networking? Even more, companies create positions for people who demonstrate skills that are needed in their industry. If your student learns how to connect with their peers, they will become invaluable to their future organizations.

Types of Coping for Connection

Here are a few coping skills that will build connection with their peers:

Join Study Groups: Collaborating with classmates on academic tasks can strengthen relationships and improve understanding of the material.

Participate in Clubs and Organizations: Engaging in shared interests with others provides opportunities for meaningful connections.

Attend Social Events: Campus events, parties, and gatherings are great ways to meet new people and practice social skills.

Volunteer: Volunteering for campus or community service projects fosters teamwork and builds bonds with like-minded individuals.

Practice Active Listening: Show genuine interest in others by listening attentively and responding thoughtfully during conversations.

Engage in Recreational Activities: Playing sports, joining fitness classes, or participating in outdoor adventures can build camaraderie and friendships.

Utilize Campus Resources: Take advantage of workshops or counseling services that focus on social skills and stress management.

Practice Communication Skills: Work on verbal and non-verbal communication skills through practice and feedback from peers or mentors.

Summary

Returning to school can be a stressful time for families. The quality of time is shrinking, especially if your student is headed off to college or entering their senior year of highschool. Equipping your student to handle the pressures of school, while forming and developing healthy friendships will help your student deal with the stressors they feel.

At The Pursuit, a group of experienced therapists have come together to offer best-in-class counseling services. We prioritize clinical theory, non-judgmental approaches, and effective interventions, treatment plans, and coping skills. We have therapists who specialize in different areas and we strive to find the best match for your unique needs. Are you ready to take the first step in your Pursuit towards a happier, healthier you? We invite you to book your free 20-minute consultation with one of our skilled therapists. Don’t wait; it’s time to invest in your well-being. Simply Book Now to start your Pursuit toward personal growth and positive change today. Keep reading if you want to learn more about Anxiety Therapy.