Building Emotional Resilience for a Successful School Year: Skills for Students, Parents, and Teachers

The start of a new school year is filled with promise, but it’s also a time of emotional challenges—new schedules, academic expectations, social dynamics, and the transition from summer freedom to structured routines. Emotional dexterity can be the key to not just surviving but thriving during this shift. 

1. Start with Emotional-Awareness

Students, parents, and educators alike benefit from regularly checking in with their emotions. Recognizing stress, excitement, or anxiety early allows for proactive responses rather than reactive outbursts. 

Quick Practice:
At the start or end of the day, take 60 seconds to name your emotions without judgment. This builds emotional awareness—the first step in managing them effectively. 

2. Flip the Emotional Light Switch

When the inevitable challenges arise—a tough test, a missed assignment, or a conflict with a classmate—students can use emotional creators to shift their state. 

Examples:

  • Listening to uplifting music between classes
  • Practicing deep breathing before a big presentation
  • Keeping a gratitude journal to reframe daily challenges 

3. Shift from Fear to Growth Mindset

Back-to-school season can spark fear of failure, especially after academic struggles. Reframe mistakes as learning opportunities. Students should focus on learning rather than perfection, which reduces stress and improves performance. 

4. Create Supportive Routines

Predictable morning and evening routines help reduce anxiety. For students, packing bags and planning outfits the night before removes morning chaos. For parents, setting aside daily time to connect with kids fosters emotional safety. 

5. Communicate with Empathy

Teachers and parents who actively listen and validate students’ emotions create environments where they feel understood and supported. This improves resilience and encourages open communication. 

Final Thought

Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean back-to-stress. By using emotional dexterity tools—self-awareness, emotional creators, mindset shifts, routines, and empathy—this school year can be one of growth, connection, and confidence for everyone involved. 

About the Author

Dr. Drew Gold is an Associate Professor of Management at Saint Leo University and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina.  His areas of expertise include technology and innovation management, research methods and statistics, strategic management, and personal and professional development.  He has spent over a decade developing his concept of Emotional Dexterity, which is reflected in his book “Beyond Emotional Intelligence: Never Have Another Bad Day!” 

Dr. Gold is married and lives with his wife and two crazy cats in Tampa, Florida. He loves to travel and is a master scuba diver trainer and loves college sports, especially his Ohio State Buckeyes!  O-H- 

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