"I allowed
myself to think if I could be doing anything in the world, what would I be
doing? And what came to mind is I'd be traveling a little bit, I'd be going to
classes, and I'd be going back to school."
-Ricky Williams
Returning
to school after an extended break can leave you filled with dread and anxiety. The new
school year is full of many unknowns and that can feel a little scary at first.
You're only going back to school - why does it seem
so different? If this question is something you've asked yourself, or if you
could use some advice getting back into study mode, these skills will soon beat
back your post-lockdown blues and make school a breeze.
Ø Set goals for yourself
A few
days before you go back to school, take a pen and paper and write a list of
personal goals that you'd like to accomplish during this academic year. These
goals might be social, intellectual, or physical, but by having something to
work toward, you can relieve some anxiety about starting up again.
Some goals you might consider:
- Making
new friends
- Joining
a new sport
- Getting
better grades
- Getting
in shape
Ø Review
your homework
If you didn't have homework assigned over
break, take some time to look over the last assignments you did in each class
before leaving school. This will remind you of where you left off in class, and
looking over homework can prevent you from forgetting to complete it. Take this
time also to reflect on the way you've done homework in the past. If you can
think of any improvements you might make to your homework routine, returning to
school might be the perfect time to make a change.
There may be a field trip, or maybe
your science class has an experiment planned - whatever it might be, chances
are you have something to look forward to when you return to school. By making
a list of these things, you can replace any fear you have of going back with
excitement to return.
Ø Take your
time getting back into the rhythm of things
There's no getting around it,
you'll need some time before it feels normal going to school again. Don't be
hard on yourself. This process can take a week or two, but coach yourself
through your negative thoughts by saying things like: “It’s normal to be a
little nervous returning to something after a long break. Everything's going to
be alright!"
Ø Start
your day earlier than normal.
On your first
day back to school after break, you'll be out of practice doing your normal routine,
which will likely add more time than you expect. Try to wake up a little
earlier than normal so that you have extra time to make sure you have
everything you need to succeed.
Over the course of your vacation, you might
have enjoyed sleeping in or staying up late. This might make it difficult
getting back into your school routine. To reset your
sleep schedule
you should:
- Return
to your routine several days to a week ahead of time.
- Open
blinds/curtains to get natural light in the mornings.
- Avoid
late night meals.
Ø Pre-pack
your bag and choose keep your uniform ready.
It's
likely you'll still be adjusting back to your school routine when break is
over, and pre-packing school supplies and keeping your uniform ready the night before
can save you time and stress. Grogginess in the morning can cause you to take
more time than you need to do these simple tasks, so ready your stuff before to
make your first morning back as easy as possible. You might benefit from making
a back-to-school checklist. Write down all necessary supplies, like books, a
calculator, pencils, notebooks, and so on.
Sleep
deprivation is terrible for your body, and can result in weight gain,
difficulty concentrating, and irritability. Protect your health and make the
first day back to school after break easier on yourself by getting the sleep
you need, which for most children is between 8½ and 9½ hours, but this might be
different for you
Ø Eat a
healthy breakfast.
A lean protein, high fibre
breakfast could put you on the fast track to feeling better about your school
day. Foods like whole grain toast, eggs, yogurt, and cottage cheese can give
you an emotional boost and keep you going throughout the day. Regular healthy
breakfasts might also improve your memory, daily energy levels, your sense of
calmness, and even your mood
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