HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Horry County students from elementary school to college have begun adjusting their routines as the new school year starts to ramp up.
Starting school can be a big change no matter if you are in kindergarten or if it is your freshman year of college. It’s an exciting time of year that can also be very stressful and take a toll on students’ mental health.
If your child is expressing or showing signs of anxiety, Chris Furn, a medical professional at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, said you should talk to them, ask them questions about how they are feeling and try to comfort them.
“[Explain] that there are good types of anxiety, and bad types of anxiety,” Furn said. “Starting school is a good anxiety. It’s very nerve-wracking but it’s a good thing. [Encourage] the children to understand why they’re feeling how they’re feeling.”
Some children need a routine, according to Fern and Scott Pomicter, an outpatient manager at Grand Strand Behavioral Health. Children thrive on having a routine, and parents should make sure they are sticking to it throughout the school year, they said.