Returning to school this year is going to feel different for a lot of students. COVID-19 guidelines continue to change, and it might feel difficult for parents and kids to stay on top of everything going on in their lives. Our partners at Foundry have compiled some wellness resources to help support families as kids head back to school.
It’s totally okay to have mixed feelings about going back to school. You might be experiencing things like:
- Anxiety
- Excitement about joining extracurricular activities or volunteering
- Changing moods or depression
- Stress
- Joy with friends or other personal relationships
- Feeling like your body has changed, or having trouble with how you see your body
It’s important to be kind to yourself and take a step back when things are feeling overwhelming for you. If your feelings are starting to take over your everyday life, reach out and get support whenever you need it.
School: Keeping up with school
- Tips for a new school year: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/5-tips-new-school-year/
- Tips to staying motivated (even if you’re not feeling it): https://foundrybc.ca/stories/5-tips-staying-motivated-even-youre-really-not-feeling/
- Tips for studying effectively: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/5-tips-studying-effectively/
- Ways to stop procrastinating: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/5-ways-help-beat-procrastination/
Connections: Getting back to in-person connections
- Active listening: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/active-listening/
- What makes a healthy friendship: https://foundrybc.ca/articles/friends/
- Gender and sexual orientation ft. the Gender Unicorn: https://foundrybc.ca/articles/gender-sexual-orientation/
Wellness: Ways to take care of yourself that aren’t just bubble baths (but those can definitely help!)
- Mindfulness exercises: https://foundrybc.ca/articles/different-ways-mindful/
- Tips for getting a good night’s sleep: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/6-tips-getting-good-nights-sleep/
- Tips to declutter your social media: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/tips-declutter-social-media/
- Finding a space online: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/finding-a-safe-space-online/
- Easy ways to keep up with journaling: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/5-easy-ways-keep-journaling/
- Using technology in a healthy way: https://foundrybc.ca/articles/your-tech-use/
COVID-19: Keeping yourself well during COVID-19
- Information on COVID-19: https://foundrybc.ca/covid19-2/
- Intro to vaccines for youth: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/intro-to-vaccines-for-youth/
- Wearing masks and how they help: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/wearing-masks-and-how-they-help/
- Physical activity during COVID-19: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/want-to-beat-those-covid-blues-get-active/
- Taking care of yourself when living with abuse during a pandemic: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/how-to-take-care-of-yourself-when-living-with-abuse-during-a-pandemic/
- Using substances during a pandemic: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/safely-using-substances-during-covid-19/
Tough stuff: When other things feel overwhelming
- Am I a Bully? https://foundrybc.ca/articles/am-i-a-bully/
- Tips for Moving Out: https://foundrybc.ca/articles/tips-for-moving-out/
- LGBTQIA and Two-Spirited Identity in a Virtual World: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/lgbtq2-identity-and-the-virtual-world/
- Anxiety Around Climate Change: https://foundrybc.ca/stories/climate-change-is-real-but-there-is-something-you-can-do-about-it/
- Coping with Grief and Loss: https://foundrybc.ca/articles/living-with-loss/
- Tips to Help if You’re A Victim of Violence or Abuse: https://foundrybc.ca/articles/living-with-loss/
- Understanding Drugs and Substance Use: https://foundrybc.ca/resource/drug-substance-use/
- Working on our relationship with food and our bodies: https://eatcakepod.home.blog/
- Get Support
If a young person feels ready to talk to someone about how they’re feeling, Foundry has resources to help find the right person (whether it’s online or in-person). Here are tips for talking to someone to help you start the conversation.
- Phone and Online Chat Resources: https://foundrybc.ca/get-support/phone-online-support/
- Peer Support: https://foundrybc.ca/virtual/peer-support/
- Foundry Virtual Services: https://foundrybc.ca/virtual/
- Foundry Online Groups and Workshops: https://foundrybc.ca/virtual/youth-groups/
- Full List of Foundry Centres:https://foundrybc.ca/get-support/find-a-centre/
- However you feel about school – whether you’re feeling excited, anxious, or somewhere in between – your feelings are valid and you can get through this. Support is available wherever you’re at on your journey, and whenever you want to reach out.
Learn more about school: https://foundrybc.ca/resource/school/
Wishing you a great school year.
