Be Mindful: Handling academic stress

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Academic stress seems to resonate with everyone. From the pressure, to the fear of not living up to your parents standards, or your own.

This time of year can feel a little overwhelming, and students of all ages are feeling it. Some UTEP students we talked to say they're handling the stress the best they can.

"I go for runs. I work out, I talk to friends, talk to family and just try to enjoy my time in college."

For elementary and middle to high school ages, navigating school stress is also a challenge, especially since many don't articulate their feelings as well.

Here are some things for parents to keep an eye on, for students of all ages, according to experts:

• Morning procrastination
• Missing the bus
• Skipping class
• Talking back to teachers
• Not be able to complete assignments

While  these signs may seem like behavioral issues, but that's not always the case.

"We really want to get curious about what they're communicating and make sure we're getting to the root, because for some kids, it's actually anxiety," Jody Baumstein, licensed therapist with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, says.

Anxiety affects people of all ages. The best way to handle this with a friend or family member is to open up a dialogue, and get them talking.

Ask open-ended questions, and listen to understand.

Then, validate and normalize what they're going through, acknowledging all their hard work.

Don't let their value be based on the outcome.

"If they're worried that they might not get that perfect grade," Baumstein said. "They're gonna be feeling really intense pressure."

Baumstein said to remember to be proactive in reaching out for help from a counselor

"They're not able to go to school, they can't sleep, they're no longer engaging in activities they used to enjoy. They're withdrawing from their friends, they're not talking, they're tearful. These are signs you really want to pay attention to."

If all else fails, ask what you can do to support them, and tell them ways you overcome anxiety in your life.