As thousands of pupils return to school, FindTutors, a leading tuition service by GoStudent, has outlined tips students and parents can use to reduce stress and worry at the start of this new school year.
The “School Routine”
Early mornings, tiredness, loss of focus and insecurity are among the most common challenges in September. Keeping routines stable, celebrating small successes from day one, and maintaining open communication with teachers is important, explains Nani Conde, a primary school teacher and psychopedagogue.
Sandra Palo, psychologist and coach, recommends creating a colourful, interactive schedule that can help children take ownership of their school routine. She said, “Routines are not a prison, they’re a map that provides order and confidence.”
Recovering focus and attention
Palo recommends starting with short activities that have a big impact, such as word searches or puzzles, and ensuring that study spaces are clean and ordered – a true temple of learning. “Concentration is like a muscle. If you don’t train it, it weakens. If you exercise it, it grows stronger,” she says.
Conde also suggests reading, drawing or board games as family activities that boost attention, and encourages parents to establish short study sessions of 10-20 minutes with frequent breaks in the first weeks.
Dealing with anxiety and nerves
When it comes to anxiety or nerves, Conde advises parents to focus on the positives of the new school year, such as new friends and opportunities to learn, while also incorporating simple breathing exercises to regulate stress.
Palo adds: “Fears are like traffic lights. Sometimes they turn red to make us stop and reflect, but sooner or later they turn green again so we can move forward.”
Building confidence and reducing academic stress
Both experts agree that it is crucial to value effort over results, celebrate progress, and avoid overwhelming students with too many tasks in the early weeks.
Additional support can also make the difference. A recent study by GoStudent in collaboration with FindTutors, found that tools like personalised learning or working with a tutor can boost not only grades, but confidence in students, which is crucial to ensure positive progress throughout the school year.
“Starting the year with additional support – through tutors, mentors or private lessons – reduces uncertainty and builds confidence. In many cases, this early reinforcement is the key to transforming stress into motivation,” says Albert Clemente, CEO of FindTutors.
According to a 2024 study by the World Health Organisation (WHO), teenagers increasingly feel pressured by academic expectations, while at the same time reporting less support from their families.
These worrying trends are also reflected in teachers’ concerns, with 40% of European teachers calling for schools to provide emotional management training for their students. The return to routine often makes these issues more visible, as it is a time of uncertainty and adaptation.
“Students face this month as a period of transition. Routines change, academic and social demands increase, and now they must also adapt to an increasingly digitalised world. Without proper support, it is easy for them to begin the year with insecurity,” concludes Clemente.
