By Shovonne Williams, Assistant Principal, Youth Villages Inner Harbour Campus School
As roughly 1.8 million students and more than125,000 teachers return to classrooms across Georgia, the excitement of a new school year is often accompanied by something a little less cheerful: anxiety.
Whether it’s a kindergartener stepping into school for the first time or a high school freshman navigating a sea of upperclassmen, the so-called “back-to-school blues” are real, and they affect parents just as much as kids.
New teachers, unfamiliar hallways, shifting routines — it’s a lot.
Top causes of back-to-school anxiety
· Fear of the unknown: New teachers, classmates and routines
· Lack of preparation: Missing open house events can heighten stress
· Social pressures: Especially around lunch and fitting in
· Parental anxiety: Kids often mirror the emotional state of their caregivers
But there are ways we can ease the transition and set our kids up for a confident, calm start.
Start the routine early
One of the best things you can do is ease into the school routine before the first day. That means gradually adjusting bedtimes, practicing morning routines and even doing a dry run of the school commute. Don’t wait until the night before to enforce bedtime – start a week or two early so the change doesn’t feel so abrupt.
Don’t skip the open house
If your school offers an open house, make it a priority. Walking the halls, meeting the teacher and seeing where they’ll sit can help kids visualize their day and reduce the fear of the unknown.
Manage your own anxiety
Kids are emotional sponges. If you’re frantic, they’ll feel it. Have you ever had mornings where you are spiraling inside but kept a calm exterior for the kids’ sake? Modeling calm and confidence helps them feel secure. Take a breath, plan ahead and give yourself grace.
Normalize their feelings
Let your child know it’s OK to feel nervous. Encourage them to talk about their worries and listen to their concerns without judgment. Share your own stories – like how walking into the cafeteria on the first day of school used to make you feel. That kind of connection can be incredibly reassuring.
Help them find their people
Social anxiety is a big part of back-to-school stress, especially in middle and high school. Encourage your child to coordinate with friends about lunch periods or meeting spots. If they’re walking into a new school, remind them it’s OK to sit alone at first – others will join. Sometimes just having a plan makes all the difference.
For educators: Build rapport first
To our fellow educators out there: before diving into academics, take time to build relationships. Kids need to feel seen and safe before they can learn. Whether it’s through creative “get to know you” projects or simply being transparent about your own challenges, connection is key.
Community matters
Back-to-school events, supply drives and backpack giveaways aren’t just feel-good moments -they’re lifelines for families. Programs like Youth Villages’ Backpack Heroes initiative help ensure every child starts the year with the tools they need. When communities show up, kids feel supported.
Starting fresh
The start of a new school year is a chance for a fresh start – for students, parents and educators alike. Let’s meet it with empathy, preparation and a little bit of grace. Because when we ease anxiety, we make room for growth, joy and learning.
Shovonne Williams, assistant principal for Youth Villages’ Cognia-accredited school at Inner Harbour in Douglasville, is an experienced educator and mother of three school-aged children.
