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Nervous about returning to school? Struggling to settle back in? See some top tips for going back to school!
Make sure you have everything that you need ready the night before! This will help to keep you calm and relaxed before you go to school. For example, have your school bag and uniform ready the night before so you’re all organised for the morning and you don’t need to rush. If needed, make a checklist so you don’t forget anything! Over the Summer holidays, you may have fallen out of routine with your sleep. Try and get back to your regular sleeping pattern as soon as possible. If you are tired, this may impact your mood, behaviour, and ability to concentrate.
Start your day well with a healthy breakfast (porridge, low sugar cereal, fruit, wholemeal toast). Make sure you take some delicious healthy snacks to keep your energy levels up throughout the day. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. If you don’t eat well and stay hydrated throughout the day this can cause your blood sugar to drop which can make you feel tired, lethargic, and really impact your mood and ability to concentrate!
When you are feeling worried about returning to school it can be easy to just focus on the negatives. These negatives fuel your worries, fears, and anxieties. Write down everything you’re looking forward to at school, write your goals for the year and what you would like to achieve. This will give you a focus and most importantly motivation to give school your best shot! School has so many positives to focus on: friends, learning opportunities, social opportunities, structure, lots of wellbeing support, extra-curricular opportunities. What are the positives for you?
If you are worried about anything at school, struggling to make friends, struggling to find your way around or if you’re feeling unhappy at school then do not be afraid to speak out. Many children will be feeling worried and will be struggling adapting back to school life. So, remember you are not alone! Try speaking to a parent/carer, teacher or tutor or even share your worries with a friend. It may also help to write your worries down; this can help you to process them more easily and try to come up with solutions.
It can take time to adjust to being back at school, and it’s okay if it doesn’t feel comfortable at first. Even when you’re back at school, make time every day to do something you enjoy. Celebrate your successes, even if you didn’t enjoy the day being at school praise yourself for getting through each day!
