Back to School Fears
By Samantha Alvares, Age 10
Hi! My name is Samantha, and I’m 10 years old. I want to tell you something a lot of kids feel but don’t always say out loud: going back to school can be a little scary.
All summer long, I was swimming, riding my bike, and eating popsicles. I didn’t have to wake up early or worry about homework. But now, school is starting again—and my tummy feels funny just thinking about it.
I worry about things like:
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Will my friends still like me?
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What if I don’t like my new teacher?
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What if I forget my locker code or can’t find my classroom?
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What if the schoolwork is super hard this year?
My mom says everyone feels nervous sometimes—even grown-ups! That made me feel better. She told me the best way to make the worries smaller is to talk about them. So I talked to her, and I talked to my big sister too. They both gave me great advice.
My sister said, “Just be yourself. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to try your best.” That really helped me. And my mom said I could write down all my worries and turn them into goals. So now, instead of “What if I forget my locker code?” I say, “I’ll practice my code a few times before school starts.”
On the first day of school, I still felt nervous. But then something amazing happened. I saw my best friend Emily in the hallway, and she smiled at me and waved. I smiled back—and just like that, the fear started to melt.
By lunchtime, I had already met my new teacher (she’s really nice), found my class, and learned a fun game in gym. And guess what? I even made a new friend named Jordan who likes the same books I do.
Now I know it’s okay to feel scared about new things. But it’s also exciting. School means new friends, new things to learn, and fun times ahead.
So if you’re feeling scared too, it’s okay. You’re not alone. Just take a deep breath, talk to someone, and remember—you’ve got this!
Let’s make this the best school year ever!
