Many students face first day anxiety in various forms regardless of what grade level, so journalism students decided to discover how some people manage their stress. While reasons vary, students often get anxiety on the first day of the new school year from being in a new environment or being away from their comfort environment and being in a crowded place with teachers and other students. Students may be grouchy and unhappy with being back in a crowded, busy environment and having to get back into the routine of doing work that they really don’t want to be doing.

Students were asked to discuss what the first day of school was like and what stirred up those feelings. “Going to middle school for the first time, I got nervous,” Aaron, a current student at Osage High School, said. “I wasn’t ready. My feelings have changed over the years about the first days back, but being here after a while helped me get used to it.”

Although many students may feel just like Aaron, there are ways to deal with the stress. The school counselor recommended “taking it one day at a time.” Many students get caught up with the day itself instead of taking a breath and stepping back to analyze everything. This can get worse if students come from a bad home environment, adding exponentially onto the stress. This, for some, can lead to negative thoughts, and for this, the counselor expressed that she believes in you. Additionally, things like music and sketching may help calm down those negative thoughts and feelings.