Alex's Answer
To Alex / 24 July 2020
I’m really worried about returning to school in September
Your Question
I’m really worried about returning to school in September – I used to sort of like school but I always had Sunday night nerves before school on Monday and now I have like 4 months worth of nerves going back to school . This might sound so inconsiderate but I’m sort of hoping we have a second lockdown just so I don’t have to go to school . I don’t want to be freinds with the same people as I was before I lockdown I want to be alone . I don’t want to have to sit in classes all day . Before I used to be very anxious about school and getting in trouble and now I’ve literally gotten so akward and just very self-conscious I fell like this is going to be absolute hell . |
From Alex / 19 August 2020
Answer
Hi, thank you contacting Ask Alex.
From what you are saying, I can see that you have a lot going on at the moment. Would I be right in thinking that the most of what is going on for you is anxiety about returning to school?
You mentioned that you always had Sunday night nerves before returning on Mondays, but now it has escalated a lot mainly because of being out of school for so long. It is understandable that if you had these feelings before lock down, that now they are coming back for you.
Have you ever spoken to anyone about these feelings before? It is important that you feel safe and secure in school and from what you are saying this may not be the case. You have the right to feel safe when you are there and the right to get support if you feel that you are not. It would be important to find out why you do not feel safe. Talking to somebody you know, an adult that you feel comfortable talking to, or a professional (doctor/counsellor) may be of some help to you. You may be able to come up with coping mechanisms to get you through this tough time.
There will be some articles on the Childline website in the coming days about returning to school after Covid-19 and lock down. Keep an eye out for them on www.childline.ie. There are also articles on friendships www.childline.ie/friends/ which you might like to read. It is important that you talk about what is going on for you with somebody and not to keep it to yourself.
You can always get in touch with Childline if you feel that you do not have anybody else to chat to just now, by phone 1800 66 66 66, text 50101 or web chat through our website www.childline.ie. Childline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so there will always be somebody there to chat with you whichever way you feel most comfortable getting in touch. You can chat to the Childline team about your school anxieties, your friendships or anything else that is going on for you, big, small or just for a chat or rant! It is a safe place for you to chat as we do not trace calls or use phone or device ID.
Get in touch soon and get a plan of action for returning to school.
Keep safe,
Alex