MIDLAND, Texas — Many kids across West Texas have headed back to school during the week of Aug. 12.
As the new school year begins, anxiety can be a problem for students to deal with.
There is plenty of pageantry on the first day of school, and there is plenty of uncertainty too.
“You’re in a new situation, things are different, new expectations – you're going to feel anxious about it and that’s completely normal," said Dr. Aaron Kubosumi, a 4th-year psychiatry resident at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
While it’s normal to have anxiety, too much can be problematic.
Dr. Kubosumi said they see an uptick during this time of the year.
“When school’s starting, you do see quite a few issues in the clinic with students having concentration issues or having some mood anxiety issues," Dr. Kubosumi said.
Every student handles anxiety differently, with some able to deal with it better than others.
“I’ve seen kids that it really does impact their ability to focus on school -- their mind's somewhere else, they’re worried about home, they’re worried about family...other things going on," Dr. Kubosumi said. "So, it can be a massive roadblock in their ability to retain information and concentrate in school."
When it comes to coping methods, Dr. Kubosumi suggests deep breathing, a normal routine and practicing mindfulness.
“‘Ok, I’ve had this emotion, let me focus on my test right now though because that’s what I need to do,’ and then you can kind of pick it up later," Dr. Kubosumi said. "So, kind of working on how we deal with our issues – recognizing that we have them but at the same time allowing us to be in the moment and not focus on the other things – it does really help long-term.”
So as classrooms fill up, support is there on the educational journey.
“You’re not a kid forever, enjoy it," Dr. Kubosumi said. "If you have a problem, certainly ask for help – talk with your friends, talk with your parents, people who have been there – no one has to go through their issues alone.”