What can anxiety be like?
Feeling anxious looks different to everyone. You might:
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Feel angry, tearful, or worried.
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Find it hard to sleep.
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Notice changes in your appetite.
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Have stomach aches or headaches.
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Have bad dreams.
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Think that bad things are going to happen.
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Start avoiding things like school, seeing friends, or going out in public.
When it comes to school, we get it, it can feel overwhelming - almost like you have too many tabs open in your brain at once.
You could be worried about:
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How much homework you have.
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Subjects you don’t like or feel you aren’t doing well in.
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People at your school.
You might also feel anxious about:
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Your identity; not feeling very confident with who you are.
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The way you look or present.
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Things happening at home.
Everyone feels worried sometimes. Trying to remember this, and that people in your class and school might feel the same as you, can help you not feel as alone in your feelings.
Write down your worries, enjoyment and hopes
Writing down how you feel can help you understand what’s going on in your mind and the things you might be feeling nervous about.
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Take some time to think about the things that are making you feel worried at school. Is there a certain subject that you’re feeling anxious about? Are you finding it hard managing the amount of work? Or struggling with your friends?
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Then, write down what you enjoy about school. Is it nice to have a routine? Are there certain topics like or do well in? Do you have a friend you enjoy spending time with? Do you like a kick-about at break time? Is there anything you’re looking forward to in this school year?
Reflecting in this way can help you see what parts of school are making you feel worried or anxious, and which bits you enjoy.
If you’d like, you could show your list to an adult you trust to help talk about what school is like for you. Showing and talking through your list can help them understand your experiences, and if there might be things they can help with.
Speak to someone you trust
Sometimes it can feel daunting to speak about how we are feeling, but talking to someone you trust can make it easier.
Think about people you know who you feel like you could talk to. These might be people who:
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Understand you.
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You feel comfortable talking to.
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Know you the best.
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You can relate to.
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You trust.
The people who come into your mind might be a parent, carer, grandparent, sibling, or friend. It could also be someone at your school, like a teacher.
If you’re feeling worried about school, sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust can help the people in your life understand what you’re going through and help support you.
If you don’t feel like there is someone to talk to, there are other ways you can get support and advice.
Talk to friends
Everyone has different experiences at school, but a lot of people feel worried or anxious during some of it. It’s a time of change, growth, and learning so it’s normal to feel this!
You could talk to a friend about how you are feeling. It can feel a bit daunting, but you might be surprised to find out they feel the same way as you, and you are not alone.
Maybe you can support each other or find someone to talk to at school together.
If you aren’t comfortable talking to a friend, or feel like there isn’t someone to talk to, there are other ways you can get support and advice.
Be kind
Being at school is a busy time full of changes, and learning and developing. It’s really normal to feel worried at some point.
Being kind to yourself whilst you’re at school is so important. Making time to do something you enjoy every day is a good way to prioritise your hobbies and personal time outside of your school life.
Why not also practice saying some words or phrases of affirmation? You could try saying or writing down phrases like; ‘I’ve got this. I deserve happiness. I can do hard things. I’m proud of myself.’
[It can help to] try and find a spot that's quiet and that you feel safe in.
Young person
Further support with anxiety at school
If you’re feeling like you can’t control how you’re feeling, are feeling anxious all the time, or are struggling to cope it’s a good idea to chat to someone.
Talking to someone you trust is a good way to get support. They can listen to your experiences and help you find advice or support.
If your feelings of anxiety are about school, it’s good to think about sharing how you feel with your school. This might mean talking to a teacher you trust or getting an adult you trust to speak to them for you.
If you’re struggling to find support, or feel like there isn’t someone to talk to, there are other ways you can get support and advice.
Understanding stress
Life can be stressful! We know that. Understanding what stress is, how it’s caused, and finding tips to ease any overwhelming feelings can really help if stress is affecting your mental health.
How to access support
We are all wonderfully unique, which is why the right support will look different to everyone. There are lots of types of support, it’s all about finding out what’s going to be best for you.
Exam stress
We know that exams can be stressful! The combination of revision and wanting to do well can really get on top of you. But remember, no matter what your results, your mental health is important too.
All of the information on this page was created with practising health professionals. This page was reviewed in April 2025. We will next review the page in 2028.