How to Minister to Anxious Students at the Beginning of the School Year
Anxiety and stress can seem like ever-present companions at the beginning of the school year. This is true for our new middle school and high school students - and especially for our seniors who feel like they need to figure out their entire future by Christmas. As youth leaders and parents, it can be difficult to know how to help students with these feelings. But I want to encourage you that there are ways that both you and your students can navigate this challenge together.
Here are some guidelines to help you minister to anxious students at the beginning of the school year.
1. Model Calm Confidence
Your first instinct might be to panic and worry about the new school year, but it's important to model a calm confidence. If you're nervous about your child's experience in the classroom, for example, this can get passed along to them.
Instead of projecting fears onto your children or pressuring them about their performance at school, try keeping your own anxieties in check and reminding yourself that the new school year is just another opportunity for growth. You don't have to make any predictions about how great or terrible things will be—just keep things positive. Your kids will respond positively too if they see you being emotionally healthy and open-minded.
2. Validate Their Nervous Energy
Let the student know that you understand how he or she is feeling, and that it’s perfectly normal. Let them know that you feel nervous about things too, and that there’s no shame in having nervous energy. Explain to your students how you find ways to deal with your own anxiety (exercise, spending time with friends/family, etc.).
If you are able to do so without making them uncomfortable about their feelings or triggering more anxiety for them, ask what they’re worried about at school this year. If possible bring up specific situations from last year where they felt anxious and ask if those situations have changed this year. If there is something new happening at school this year it might be helpful for both of you to talk through it together so that they can prepare themselves mentally for what lies ahead!
3. Help Them Make Good Decisions About Stress Management
Encourage them to listen to the stress points in their body. They might be able to tell which part of their body is tensing up, which can help identify what kind of emotional response they're having (like anger or fear).
Help them prepare for stress by focusing on positive thinking, rather than negative thoughts. When we have anxious thoughts or worries about something that hasn't happened yet (but might happen) our minds already start playing out worst-case scenarios in our heads. This can create more anxiety and make things worse than they need to be - especially when we don't know if these events will actually happen. Instead of worrying about what could happen or dwelling on negative thoughts, encourage your students by focusing on God's sovereignty over all things and reminding them that God is still good even though bad things may happen from time-to-time.
Encourage regular relaxation time throughout the day through prayer or meditation where one focuses on breathing deeply while relaxing muscles throughout their body as well as listening attentively to God's Word. This type of lifestyle puts us back into balance with the bodies God gave us.
One of the best ways to help students manage their stress is by helping them strengthen friendships within your ministry. This is especially important if there aren't many believers at school already. Being able to play and laugh with others who understand what we're going through can provide great comfort during those dark moments when everything feels bleak.
4. Point to God’s Plan for This School Year
Students may struggle with anxiety due to the fact that they struggle with constantly thinking about themselves and how they measure up with their peers. Their anxiety can also come from an underlying fear of failure or rejection, especially if they have been bullied or felt isolated in the past. Other times, students are anxious because they feel like they aren’t making a difference in the lives of others. This can be especially true if you have students who are in a new school or town.
It’s important to assure them that God is already at work in their lives and he'll finish what he started. Their life is dripping with God-given and God-glorifying meaning. In this way, a stressful science class or irritating math teach can even be a means of students' sanctification. Students can trust they are in the midst of God's unfolding plan.
5. Remind Them of Their Identity in Christ
It is impossible for a Christian to be forgotten by God.
Especially in times of trouble, Christ is the believer's treasure. Because of their union with Christ, they aren't just near the heart of God—they're in it! Their life's journey has been planned and ordained by Him (Ephesians 1:11). The Lord loves to reveal His goodness and mercy (Romans 9:16).
The love of God isn't some "out there" concept; it is applied to students' hearts through the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). As you encourage your anxious student, remind him that he doesn't need to fear because his heavenly Father cares for him deeply (Psalm 103:13).
At the beginning of the school year, it’s normal for students to feel anxious or stressed out. Youth leaders and parents have an opportunity to help them overcome their anxiety and experience Christ’s peace.
Commit yourself to praying for your students as they begin their new school year - keeping in mind that many are feeling anxious or stressed out. As leaders, you have an opportunity to help them overcome their anxiety and experience Christ’s peace in a new way this year at school. May this be a school year marked by students showing their peers the matchless treasure of Christ.
