How to Deal With the Challenges of Going Back to School After COVID

When the pandemic hit the United States, it disrupted education and forced students and teachers to adapt in new ways. Suddenly, the traditional school system couldn’t operate the same way because classes weren’t held in person for a time. 

However, the change in education was more difficult for some than others, and returning to a more familiar school setting hasn’t been easy for most students. As schools reopen and students return to in-person learning environments, they may notice difficulties they didn’t have before COVID-19. 

In this post, we’ve looked at some of the most common challenges we see for high school students going back to school after COVID and we share our best tips for managing them. Read on to learn how to make the most of your return to high school. 

What Were Some Social Impacts of COVID?

Worldwide, students and adults alike felt the social impacts of COVID-19. The panic around the virus increased anxiety and depression in those affected, and isolation only added to these issues. The lack of socialization also impacted students looking to connect with their classmates and build the social skills that set them up for success later in life. 

Now, as some of the most intense COVID precautions are being lifted, new difficulties have come up. Returning to school and more “normal life” after spending so much time learning online or independently has caused some students to have more anxiety and struggles in school than before. It’s difficult for students to work in person again after so much time away from the classroom, and it can be scary for them to consider joining others in a classroom after time on their own. 

Why is it Hard to Go Back to School in the New Normal? 

There are several reasons it’s challenging to go back to school after COVID. We’ve given some of the most common categories these challenges fall into below: 

Academic Challenges 

Some students experienced learning loss during COVID, meaning the time away from school led to them forgetting some of what they learned. This loss can make it hard to gauge where students are in their knowledge, making it difficult for students to keep up in class and for teachers to know how to meet students where they are. 

Readjusting to in-person classroom routines and the traditional school schedule has also been a challenge for many students. Going into a classroom for learning is very different from learning at home, so this barrier can make some students want to stop going to school altogether. 

Social Challenges 

There can be many layers of social challenges to coming back to school, from learning to interact with peers again to enduring bullying and teasing. Coming back to school takes a lot. It’s brave to want to go back to school, and there is more than one way to return to school and finish getting your high school diploma, especially now that COVID has revolutionized education. 

Mental Health Challenges 

The depression and anxiety rates in students have only worsened since COVID-19, bringing more attention to mental health struggles. This increased attention has helped awareness and advocacy for mental health issues, which affects how students receive care and accommodations from teachers. 

How to Return to School After COVID

Now that we’ve explored some of the challenges of returning to school, let’s explore some ways to overcome these challenges and return to school in a way that works for you. 

Put Your Mental Health First 

Knowing your limits and learning how to communicate those with your teachers and parents can help you put your mental health first. Think about your biggest mental health challenges and how the adults in your life can best support you now. 

Be Gentle With Yourself 

Going back to school after COVID can be a hard transition, so try to be patient with yourself and others as you adjust to high school. Take time to work back into a schedule, and don’t be hard on yourself if it takes some tries to get your routine right. 

Find a School That Works for You 

The traditional high school environment might not work for everybody, but thankfully, there are other ways to graduate from high school. Alternative education opportunities are available, and more now than before COVID-19. Work with some trusted adults to find a solution for high school that works for you. 

Acceleration Academies: Helping You Go Back to School 

At Acceleration Academies, we understand that the traditional high school experience is only the best fit for some learners. That’s why we partner with students to build a plan that works for them. Our hybrid model provides students with flexible scheduling, one-on-one attention from teachers, a supportive and inclusive environment, career and life coaching, and a web-based curriculum accredited by Cognia. 

If this kind of learning sounds like it might be right for you, check out our guide to blended learning. In it, you’ll learn all about the advantages of blended learning and what pursuing blended learning can mean for you and your future. Or, you can request more information to understand how Acceleration Academies works. 

Ready to get started on your journey today? Apply now!