Term one will begin for students and pupils on February 6 with many returning to new classrooms, teachers or even a new school. Some will be starting school for the first time and others have made the big leap from grade six to grade seven, or have transitioned from high school to college.

Transitions and the fear of the unknown will often lead to anxiety – for both students and parents – and at all levels of education. But the unknown doesn’t always have to be a bad thing.

That feeling, of butterflies in the stomach, of a dry throat and clammy hands – that is a universal feeling. But, it’s also where the magic happens. Outside the comfort zone is the place where growth happens. It is where people learn vital skills like resilience, courage, fortitude and adaptability.

The importance of these skills is becoming more and more apparent, with research and studies showing that people who have them will be held in good stead when they enter the job market.

A key change in the job market of tomorrow is the imprint of technology – the fact of the matter is, we don’t know what the jobs of the future will look like.

But the skills of communication and adaptability will remain those that will be sought after into the future.

While there may be many people, adults and children, who are experiencing anxiety over their child starting or returning to school, remember that emotions are there to be felt, not pushed onto other people.

Parents of nervous children need to ensure their own emotions are kept in check so it doesn’t drown their already anxious student. Conversations about school and positive interactions with teachers and the school community will help make the transition seamless.

 Emotions are not to be hidden, they are to be felt and managed.

Good luck to all Tasmanian students returning to school next week and best wishes to the class of 2019.