School Study Guide: Managing Back-to-School Stress

Birmingham, Ala. (July 29, 2025) — The school bell is set to ring soon, and there’s a lot for parents to do: get children registered for school, finish the back-to-school shopping list, to name a few. With the hustle and bustle of the new school year also comes the stress for families as they prepare.

“A lot of times, there is a lot of stress and anxiety around just the transition itself,” said Nashedra Barry, PhD, a licensed psychologist at Children’s of Alabama. “For kids, there’s a change in their routines and expectations. They go from having more freedom during the summer to having more limits set for them during the school year.”

Barry says the stress can be the same for parents because they have to deal with the financial responsibility of the new school year, such as buying school supplies, new clothing, or paying school fees. 
“There are a lot of different things that can cause stress for both parent and child,” said Barry.

Barry says a child could be stressed about the school year and not tell their parents about it. She says there are signs parents can look out for, such as a child asking a lot of questions about the new school year or seeking excessive reassurance. She notes that children may also experience physical symptoms they have never experienced before, such as headaches or stomachaches.  Barry says the key to easing stress and making the school year exciting is to establish routines before school starts.

“The sooner you shift toward the routine you will have during the school year, the better,” said Barry. “Don’t wait until the night before to start enforcing a new bedtime. Prepare them for independent skills they might need, such as learning how to zip and unzip their pants. The more you do, the more prepared they feel for school and the less anxious they will be.” 

Barry says a parent may want to consult with a mental health professional if a child’s stress level does not decrease once school has started.

For more information on setting routines and creating a back-to-school checklist, click here.