Starting off a new school year can be exciting and stressful. Students want to excel at school, fulfill their dreams, and meet the expectations of their family and teachers.

In a recent survey, The Partnership for a Drug Free America showed that teens cite “coping with school pressure” as the number one reason for drug use. It is important to help your child find strategies that will work for him to be successful in school at any grade and develop life long healthy habits for coping with stress.

Discuss and establish a routine. When a child knows what to expect he is more likely to adapt easily. From morning to bedtime, discuss what is expected of your child to manage the time smoothly. If the routine is different from past years, especially if your child is going to a different school or entering a grade in a different building, visit the school, view their website, and ask other parents about that school. Learn about the school and its schedule. How will it be different to what your child is used to? Then, set up a routine to follow.

Organize school supplies. Many teachers offer an organizational system that requires specific supplies.  Find out what is expected for each class and teacher, set the supplies up with your child and follow the recommendations. It is worth the effort for both you and your child. During the school year check your child’s school supplies. Help her clean out what is not needed.  Empty out the folders and the backpack. When school work is free from distraction and clutter, your child will feel calmer and more willing to complete assignments.  If you are not sure what to keep or get rid of, ask your child’s teacher.  A phone call, email or a note is a great way to let the teacher know that your child needs some help with organization.

Provide smart snacks and food choices for your child. Healthy food will help boost brain power and help reduce stress. According to the American Dietetic Association, the foods your child eats affect his mood and his mood affects the foods he will select. A combination of protein and carbohydrate such as peanut butter on whole grain bread is a perfect after school snack.

Write it down. According to a recent study from the University of Texas, keeping a journal helps a person have a stronger immune system and a lower stress level. Encourage your child to write down his frustrations and what is causing him to feel stressed. Through writing, he will clarify his feelings and calm down. He then is more likely to go to school, know what is causing him to feel frustrated and how best to deal with the stress.

Connect with your school and the community. Visit teachers, counselors, and principals at the school’s open house early in the school year. Then stay connected by getting involved in organizations like PTO/PTA, Booster Clubs, and activities that encourage parent involvement. Get to know your community and find ways to promote learning outside of school. The work of the Harvard Family Research Project shows that children need many opportunities to learn and grow. Reading, math skills, and history lessons can all be re-enforced outside of school while visiting many of our community sponsored events.  

Talk to your child.  Find out what he is feeling and discuss with him how to deal with his feelings.  What subject is he anticipating feeling anxious about?  What school work is causing the most stress?  What subject is she having the most difficulty in?  Share past experiences that you had and how you dealt with your stress.  Ask questions and talk about healthy ways to release stress.  When children see the adults practicing healthy coping habits, they are more likely to develop their own.  

The doors of school are opening. Opportunity awaits your child. The vision of Cortland Area Communities that Cares (CACTC) is a safe, stable community that supports positive values, education, diversity, and investment in youth. Dealing with ways to keep each child safe and drug free is part of the healthy environment CACTC seeks to create. With a parent or adult’s help, a student can deal with the stress that comes with a new school year in very healthy ways.

Jill Deuink Pace is the Health and Wellness Coordinator at Cortland Enlarged City School District and an Advisory Member of CACTC.