Buzz
The first day back to school can set the tone for the entire academic year, and it's completely natural to feel nervous or anxious. Don't worry! There are a few things you can do to ensure the first day goes smoothly. If your new school year includes online courses or fully virtual classes, you might feel a little uneasy, but even when learning from home, there are plenty of ways to make sure the first class goes well.
Steps
Preparing the Night Before
Prepare your clothes and school supplies. Take some time to pick out your favorite outfit or prepare your uniform and place it next to your bed so you can quickly put it on without scrambling to find something to wear. Choose clothes that make you feel confident, and remember, they should be clean! Pack your school supplies into your backpack so you're ready to grab them and head to school.
- If you need to wear a school uniform, you can add accessories to personalize your style. Items like necklaces or bracelets can give your uniform a unique touch. Just make sure you're not violating any school rules.
- Remember to follow the school's dress code, even if you're not wearing a uniform. You don't want to run into any issues on the very first day, right?
Plan how you will get to school tomorrow. Consider whether you'll take the school bus, have a friend pick you up, or have your parents drive you to school. Don't leave it to the last minute to scramble for a ride!
- If you live close, you can walk or bike to school.
- If you take the bus, you'll have a chance to chat with your friends and meet new people.
- You can also join a carpool to ride together with friends.
Set two alarms 10 minutes apart to make sure you wake up on time. Give yourself plenty of time to wake up and prepare for the first day back at school by setting your alarm an hour before you need to leave for school. Set two alarms on your clock or phone so you won't sleep through or hit snooze and fall back asleep.
- Choose a loud alarm sound to ensure you wake up.
- Try placing the alarm somewhere far enough away from your bed that you have to get up to turn it off. This way, you'll be less likely to fall back asleep.
Relax for about 30 minutes before bed, and try to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Put away your phone and turn off the TV about half an hour before bed to calm your mind, especially if you're feeling nervous. Try listening to calming music or reading a book to unwind. Go to bed early to ensure you get a full night's rest so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the new day.
- If you've been staying up late during the summer, try going to bed earlier for a week before school starts to reset your sleep routine.
- If you're having trouble falling asleep, read a book. You'll naturally start feeling sleepy.
Talk to your parents or friends if you're feeling anxious about the new school year. It's completely normal to feel a bit nervous or anxious before the new school year begins. Try talking to someone you trust, like a close friend or a family member. Let them know how you're feeling. They will encourage you, and you'll feel more at ease.
- There's no need to hide your emotions. If you're worried, confide in someone. Chances are, your friend is just as nervous as you!
- Your parents might remind you of times when you were nervous in the past, but still managed to do great. For example, you may have been really anxious before the first day of school a few years ago, but you ended up doing just fine, right?
Get through the first day smoothly
Eat a hearty and nutritious breakfast to fuel up for the day. Start your day off right with a healthy breakfast to keep your energy up until lunch. A balanced breakfast with protein and carbs, like eggs and toast or a bowl of cereal with milk, is a great choice. Add some fruit and vegetables to your meal for extra nutrients.
- Avoid overeating, as it may leave you feeling sluggish and tired.
- If you're too nervous to eat much, at least try to have a slice of bread or some fruit to have something in your stomach to get you through until lunch.
Ashley Pritchard, MA
School Counselor
School Counselor
Experts agree: The best way to prepare for the first day of school is to get plenty of sleep, wake up early, and have a full breakfast. Once you're well-prepared, you'll feel less anxious and stressed.
Arrive 15 minutes early to find your class. Arriving a bit early ensures you're not rushing or worrying about being late or finding your class. Meet up with friends to see if you're in the same class, and locate your classroom so you know exactly where to go.
- Knowing where to go and what to expect will help you feel more at ease on the first day of school.
- If you take the bus, you’ll usually arrive a few minutes early, giving you extra time to find your friends and get familiar with the classrooms.
Introduce yourself to your teacher for a good start. When you arrive in class, take a moment to speak with your teacher. Let them know your name and what you enjoy about the subject. This will help create a positive impression, and if you need help later, your teacher is more likely to remember you.
- For example, if you're excited about history, tell your history teacher what specific topic you're looking forward to learning about.
- Building a good relationship with your teacher will be helpful, especially if you need to improve your grades by the end of the year.
Focus and actively contribute in class discussions. Ask questions if you don't understand something, and raise your hand to share your answer if you know the solution to a question the teacher asks. The first lesson may not have much homework or lectures, but if there is, be sure to take notes to review at home. If the teacher needs a volunteer, don’t hesitate to step up! However, if you feel too nervous, it’s fine to stay seated, take notes, and answer when called upon.
- If you're naturally introverted, don't worry. You can still be a great student even if you're not the class clown or the most outgoing.
Talk to your friends and classmates about your summer vacation. School is a great place to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Look for familiar faces and catch up on what you've been doing over the summer. Introduce yourself to new classmates in the classroom or hallway to make new friends. You'll feel less anxious when you chat with friends.
- If you struggle with social anxiety, gathering the courage to meet new people on the first day will help you overcome shyness. Soon, you'll realize that everyone around you can become a friend, even those you never thought to talk to!
Try to enjoy the first day of school. While there’s a lot to focus on the first day, teachers usually won’t assign much homework, and you’ll spend most of the time familiarizing yourself with the class and schedule. Use this time to relax, get acquainted with your new routine, enjoy meeting friends, and have a nice lunch. Take the opportunity to enjoy the start of the new school year!
- You're surrounded by people who will accompany you throughout the year, and there’s no reason you can’t enjoy their company.
- Try to push aside any worries and don’t forget to smile!
Relax and unwind after school. Take some time to rest once you're home to avoid feeling overwhelmed on the first day back. You can play games, snack, lounge on the couch, or watch TV to unwind.
- If you have homework, make sure to allocate some time to work on it.
- Invite friends you met in class to hang out or do something together.
- There’s nothing more relaxing than coming home on the first day of school. So, enjoy the moment!
- The first day back might seem unusually long compared to other days because you’re encountering so many things and people at once. Treat yourself a little!
Prepare for the summer vacation
Find the clubs and sports teams you want to join. School clubs typically start their activities early in the school year, so it’s a good idea to begin searching for school clubs and sports teams right now. Look online and ask around to see if any group aligns with your interests so you can sign up early in the year.
- You can also check the school's bulletin board or call the office to get more information about available clubs and sports teams.
- Do you have a passion for music? Join the choir or a guitar club. Or if you're a fan of movies by Akira Kurosawa and Lars von Trier, the school's film club might be the perfect spot for you.
- Clubs nurture your existing interests and are a great place to meet like-minded people.
- If there's something you're truly passionate about but the school doesn't have a club for it, why not start one yourself?
Take care of assigned reading over the summer, one step at a time. If you have reading assignments for the summer, don’t procrastinate or, worse, skip them altogether. Try tackling a bit at a time throughout the summer so that you can finish and be ready for the assignments before the new school year begins. Set daily goals for yourself to read a certain number of pages so the book is done before school starts.
- For example, count the total pages of the book, divide it by the number of days left in the summer, and set that as your daily reading goal.
- Your summer doesn’t have to be ruined by assignments. Try reading 2-3 chapters every few days so you don’t get overwhelmed.
Meet up with classmates to ease the first day of school. Spend some fun time with your schoolmates so that you won’t feel too stressed on the first day. Reconnecting with your classmates before school starts can make you feel more at ease and less nervous. Take time to socialize with friends over the summer.
- If you can’t meet in person, try calling or video chatting with them. You can even play games together to stay connected.
- Follow their social media updates to stay in the loop about how they’re spending their summer.
Get all your school supplies ready so you’re prepared for anything. Go through the list of supplies and gather everything you need in advance so you won’t be scrambling at the last minute. Choose folders, pens, and document clips that match your style to make school tasks more enjoyable.
- Buy a planner to track important dates and homework assignments.
Choose a stylish and practical backpack for the new school year. Find a backpack that matches your preferred color and design. Make sure it’s spacious enough to carry your textbooks and has plenty of compartments for your school supplies. Try on a few to see which one fits best, and choose one with comfortable straps once it’s filled with your things.
- Look for backpacks at school supply stores or supermarkets and try on a few to get a feel for them.
- Alternatively, you can order a backpack online, but you won’t be able to try it on before purchasing.
- Remember, you’ll be wearing this backpack every day, so it should be both stylish and comfortable.
Clean your room to prepare for the new school year. It feels so much better coming home from school to a tidy, clean room, so take some time to clean before school starts. Organize your study desk, put away clothes, and vacuum the carpet. You’ll also want to create a neat space for studying in the upcoming school year.
- You might be surprised at how much clutter has piled up over the summer break.
- Spray some air freshener in the room to keep it smelling nice.
- If you’re feeling nervous or stressed, tidying up can help ease the tension.
Adapt to remote learning.
Create a space at home for remote learning. Find a quiet, clean area where you can focus. Set up your study desk, arrange your learning tools and devices, such as your computer, so you're ready for remote classes.
- For example, you can use the kitchen table or your study desk in the bedroom as your learning space.
- Minimize distractions as much as possible to stay focused.
- Keep your study area neat and tidy to help you concentrate fully on your work.
Stick to your regular routine when preparing for school. Keep your usual routine in place, such as showering, brushing your teeth, and having a nice breakfast before starting your school day. Change out of your pajamas and into proper clothes to help focus on your studies and stay attentive.
- When you dress as if you're going to school, your brain and body are signaled that it’s time to get to work, which can give you an extra boost of motivation.
- Besides, you’ll want to look neat and professional, especially if you're learning through video chats with teachers and classmates.
Review your school’s online learning system and curriculum. If your school uses a Learning Management System (LMS) for virtual classes, spend some time familiarizing yourself with the details. Check the class schedule and prepare for the lessons so you can manage your time effectively, reducing stress and anxiety.
- Many LMS platforms offer guides and tutorials on how to use them. Study them so you can use the system with ease.
- Follow your teacher's instructions on remote learning.
Use a planner to keep everything organized. Choose a beautiful planner that you enjoy and use it to record important dates such as assignment deadlines and test dates. Make it a habit to check your planner daily so you can plan your day and stay on top of all your classes. If there are any changes in assignments or additional tasks, be sure to update it in your planner.
- Planners come in various designs and formats, so you can pick one that you truly like and will enjoy using!
- You can purchase planners at stationery stores or supermarkets, and they are also available for online orders.
Engage in class activities during online lessons and assignments. Whether you're using an LMS, following your teacher's instructions, or attending a virtual class with your teacher and peers, try to contribute to the lessons as much as you can. Listen attentively, ask questions, and volunteer to answer questions from the teacher to maximize your learning, which will help you if you're worried about grades or tests.
- If you're new to online learning, you may feel apprehensive, but don't worry! If you stay focused, work hard, and ask your teachers for help when you don't understand something, you’ll see great results.
Complete your assignments and ask questions if you have doubts. Teachers will assign tasks as part of your online learning curriculum. Be sure to finish your assignments on time to keep up with the course and avoid falling behind. If you're unclear about something, don’t hesitate to ask your teacher for clarification or additional explanations.
- Online learning is still a new experience for many teachers and students, so don’t hesitate to seek help if you find yourself struggling!
Take short breaks after every hour to stay focused. Give your mind a break by standing up and walking around for about 5 minutes after every hour of study. Drink some water and stretch to improve blood circulation. After the break, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to get back to work.
- Keep in mind that unlike school, you don’t have designated break times or lunch hours, so it's important to schedule your own short breaks to stay focused and energized.
Reach out to your teacher if you're having difficulties. If you're struggling to understand something or having trouble accessing information, send an email or message your teacher through the LMS. Be specific about the issue you're facing and explain what steps you've already taken to resolve it.
- Don’t hesitate to ask for help!
- It’s better to ask questions and clarify any uncertainties to avoid wasting time or making mistakes.
Advice
- If you have a friend on the same bus and in the same class, try to stick together. Two heads are always better than one!
Warning
- If you feel threatened or are afraid of being bullied, talk to your parents or the school counselor. You do not deserve to be mistreated, so seek help if necessary.
