It's that time of year again!! Back to school. Whether you/your child is going back for your next year in high school or college, OR starting a new chapter in your life by heading off to college, this article is for you. It is completely normal to feel some anxiety, particularly if you are going off to college. Not only are you dealing with possibly moving some distance away from your family, you are starting a next chapter in your schooling and getting back into the swing of things with continuing your education. New faces, new classes, new teachers, new everything are there to meet you (or your child). This can be both a scary and exciting chapter as is any start of a school year can be.

So, how to get over the nerves and anxiety? Definitely get involved in any orientation groups that the school might be offering. This will help you meet other students and possibly form some friendships. Also, if you are starting college, take this time before classes start to get the lay of the land. Take your class list, a map of the campus, and walk around to where you classes are. This should help calm some of the nerves you might be having, at least in terms of feeling comfortable with getting to your classes successfully and on time and being familiar where things generally are on campus. It's also ok to call home! Everyone experiences anxiety before school starts. So, remember, it's ok if you want to call home or call friends. Make sure to be talking to people about how you're feeling instead of bottling it up inside.

If you feel like you're having difficult getting any before-school jitters out of your system or your nervousness is becoming problematic, get in touch with your guidance counselor, advisor, and/or school counseling clinic. This can also be a good resource to use if you're having a difficult time adjusting. There are also a lot of techniques like deep breathing, grounding, progressive muscle relaxation, journaling, etc. that can also be helpful to get rid of nervous energy. Not getting the immediate help or guidance you need? Check out www.liveperson.com to locate a counselor or therapist today. And remember: "Nerves and butterflies are fine- they are a physical sign that you're mentally ready and eager. You have to get the butterflies to fly in formation, that's the trick." ~Steve Bull

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