dispose of Crowded halls full of unfamiliar faces hundreds, if not thousands, of people crammed into one building if the thought is enough to make your heart race, you aren t alone: traditional schooling environments are tough for social anxiety warriors. But battling social anxiety doesn t mean you have to miss getting an education: it just means finding accommodations or alternative methods that work for you. High School and Social Anxiety High school can be an anxious experience, to begin with, but going through it with social anxiety feels so much worse. If you re a school-aged student coping with social anxiety, it s up to you, your parents (if you re a minor) and your therapist to work together to figure out how best to work with your social anxiety so you can receive an education. If your anxiety is severe enough to qualify, if you have another qualifying disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), or if you re considered to be a gifted student, you can advocate for accommodations through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This process lets you and your teachers and therapist set goals and put in place steps to achieve them. If you re not able to qualify for an IEP, anxiety is covered under section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. You may ask for accommodations under a 504 Plan to help you manage your anxiety throughout the day, including smaller classrooms (where possible), the ability to leave class early to avoid crowded hallways, or extra breaks to visit the school counselor. College and Social Anxiety College opens up a whole world of choices for students with social anxiety. If you re a traditional student who has just left high school, you re able to choose a college setting that is able to accommodate your needs. For example, it might be beneficial to apply to colleges with smaller classes, even if they come with a higher price tag. The cost is more than worth what you d incur in an attempt at higher education you can t complete due to your anxiety. Look for schools with online options and ask about their policies regarding telecommuting, sick days and accommodations for emotional health and wellness. Some colleges and universities are more understanding than others. Online Learning for Social Anxiety If the thought of attending a traditional school, college or university is too overwhelming, there are a variety of distance and online learning opportunities available to help you get an education. Some locations provide access to free and public online education for high school students. The state of Ohio, for example, offers free online schooling for K-12 students, as well as equipment and a stipend to keep the Internet on. Other locales may require you to seek appropriate coursework through distance learning institutions and write them into your IEP/504. Online post-secondary education courses are available to traditional students, but completely online degrees are increasingly common. Look for accredited schools and traditional colleges that offer online degrees for the best value (and least chance of being suckered into a sham or scam.) School, Social Anxiety and You Social anxiety doesn t have to be the death of your education. By working together with your therapist, instructors and parents (if applicable), you can advocate for yourself to get the accommodations you need to complete your schooling. If traditional schooling is too much to bear the thought of, online and distance learning options are a valid way to get an education while focusing on your fight against social anxiety. Finding Support That Fits Your Social Anxiety Celebrating Your Victories Over Social Anxiety declaring
trudging away Getting Your Education While Battling Anxiety are expecting
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