Post Lockdown Anxiety: Going Back to School or University

It’s finally happening. The time we have been hoping and waiting for has arrived. Only it just doesn’t feel good for all of us. A knotted stomach, sweaty palms, perhaps a feeling of dread or a lack of control. Anxiety has reared its unwelcome head for so many at this transitional ‘back to normal’ and it’s really no surprise with the conflicting news articles flooding our newsfeeds as well as lots of changes and habits brought into our new daily routine.

Anxiety is a normal, human feeling of fear or panic and it is our brains built-in alarm system that goes off in stressful situations. A little bit of anxiety can be helpful to keep us alert under pressure or motivating us to slide out of our comfort zones and for many it is a temporary feeling and it does pass. For others, it is more difficult to cope with but with the right tools and techniques, it can be managed in order to live a calmer, easier and more fulfilling life.

Moving from lockdown and going back to school or university as a parent or a student can be an anxious time, however, it is also important to remember that it is normal to feel all of the feels during these extraordinary times. We would love to share with you some tools for coping with going back to school or university.

As a parent, if you see behaviours of a younger child that may suggest that they are feeling anxious about going back to school – for example, not sleeping or eating properly, irritable or angry, worrying or complaining about feeling unwell, there are a number of ways you can help them navigate through this;

• Talk to your children frequently about returning to school, ask them how they are feeling about going back to school, listen to what they are saying and allow them to understand that their feelings are valid.

• Discuss great memories of learning and fun with friends to bring back the positive memories of the school environment.

• Do feel good activities in the run up to the first few weeks of school to keep their spirits up.

• Explore coping strategies for if they struggle, for example, labelling their feelings, breathing exercises, doing artwork, getting fresh air or reading a book.

• Allow them to feel prepared and aware of what is to come.

For young adults going back to college or university, the last few weeks have been a period of new information on going back to lectures – from scattered housing arrangements, social distanced lectures, virtual learning and of course the change to socialising outside class. The student experience has massively shifted so it is not a surprise that some are already struggling with this.

There are a number of ways that students in college or university can deal with these difficult emotions before going back and during the first few months of new normal;

• Recognise the discomfort, name it and practise grounding techniques for when these feelings arise. (Check our blog for more information on this).

• Accept that things are different and beyond your control then aim to control the controllable.

• Arrange meet ups with friends before beginning term.

• Focus on the positives - practising meditation or yoga can be a great way of gaining clarity and gaining positive mindset.

• Chat to friends about the new way of learning – how will lectures or classes from home work, arrange meets ups for during term time throughout the day or Zoom calls where they can co-study together.

• Practise new hobbies and discussing new interests to allow for new socialising habits – engaging in physical activity or exercise is great for this!



At Impossible Mental Health, we always encourage you to treat your mental and emotional well-being like you would your physical health so that you really can thrive in whatever stage you are at. Life will eventually return back to normal and remember anxiety is not a sign of not coping but a reminder that we are alive.

Be kind to you and please get in touch for a chat – we would be more than happy to discuss any of this further!