It's that time of year again. So if you are afflicted with lack of patience and a compulsion to move at high speeds that is so strong you don't want to slow down for others, you are a candidate for road rage now that public schools are open and UNC is back in session.

So take a deep breath, leave the house early, pop a Prozac instead of a brain vessel and remember, those school buses making frequent stops and the crosswalks around town are now filled with students who probably have less ability to focus on the environment surrounding them than you do. So be courteous, be attentive, recite The Golden Rule if it helps to be safe.

While motorists need to be wary on the streets and highways, UNC Medical Center is reminding that students' return to the classrooms can evoke other situations that demand attention. Here are some of its tips:

-- Know signs of school phobia, separation anxiety and social phobia. "Starting or returning to school can stir up a bevy of emotions with a range of effects . . . Knowing a little bit about a few of these problems helps parents and children manage and overcome them."

-- Help your student return to healthy sleep habits. "Kids up to 12 need about 10 to 11 hours of sleep a night; they average seven to nine. Teenagers need at least nine, and they get seven. In children, lack of sleep can manifest in poor attention and foul mood."

-- Prescription medications can make back-to-school time tricky, and risky, for kids. "Parents need to get an extra prescription from their physician, fill out all required forms and coordinate with their child's teachers and/or school nurses."

-- Know your child's heart risk. "Be sure your child has a physical every year before beginning sports . . . Be aware of symptoms of heart problems, including shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting."