It’s that time of year again—back to school! Whether you are a caregiver supporting your child during this period of transition, or a young person navigating a new school year, we are here to help with some tips and tricks for success. 

For Caregivers: 

• Mental health struggles commonly arise during the back to school period. Ease youths’ anxiety by providing structure to the day. This includes set periods of time for meals and homework, as well as working with your child to come up with a bedtime routine that helps you both bond and unwind. 

• Keep communication open. Teenagers especially may be navigating vulnerable periods of development and can benefit from supportive adults who can share skills for managing stress. Set aside time each day to talk to the young person in your life about challenges and new experiences.  

• It can be so hard to watch your loved one head off to school! Help them feel strong by modeling calm, confident behavior. When you set a calm tone, your child can start their day off more relaxed and ready for success. 

• Find more information on the Child Mind Institute’s website: https://childmind.org/article/helping-children-with-special-needs-go-back-to-school/  

For Young People: 

• Ask a friend or family member to accompany you to visit your school/campus before the semester starts, so you can feel confident and comfortable in your new environment.  

• Develop healthy routines. If you want to be successful in your dream life as a physician, lawyer, construction worker, artist, performer, etc., then set yourself up for accomplishment today by: 

  • Eating a nutritious breakfast each morning to stay full and focused throughout the day 

  • Having a plan for homework—find a place to do your homework or study at a regular, structured time each day 

  • Developing a comforting sleep routine—create a nightly routine at the same time each evening to mentally and physically prepare for bedtime. Put electronics away one hour before bedtime, hydrate, and read a story or engage in other behaviors that help you unwind, like meditation. You can listen to our guided exercises for relaxation here on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5UFYaTfKUc&list=PLkXost6uLR1_oja3abNDoXJc65VGnhIH0  

• Find more information on the Mayo Clinic’s website: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/back-to-school-tips-to-help-students-adjust  

Final Note:

Wishing you all a positive, productive, and prosperous start to the new school year! And even if you or a loved one is not navigating a back-to-school transition, we hope you will take this moment to find time to recharge and reset. If you don’t already have a morning or nightly routine, create one! If you do, feel free to share your strategies for success with us so we can help others build resilience. Email us at [email protected]!  

The Greenhouse of the Mind:

Resources to Help You Bloom

Do you have a student or a child who is struggling in the classroom? Assessment can help identify the unique ways the student/child in your life learns and how they can best be supported. Consider reaching out to our colleagues for assessment, individualized education planning, or treatment: 

• Dr. Matthew Goodman (Clinical Psychologist), [email protected]  

• Dr. Rebecca Klisz-Hulbert (Psychiatrist), [email protected]  

Help Support Science Content & Communication

Our team is so excited to get the word out to the people we serve and inform for FREE … and your support will allow us to put more resources and energy into doing precisely that.

Your donations help fund the creation of content that translates our research into practice.

Consider supporting our outreach efforts:

Stay Resilient!