After a summer of sleeping in or doing things on your time, the alarm bell announcing that first day of school can be a rude awakening. Whether you're an anxious new freshman or a confident senior, heading back to school signals a time of transition: new classes, new teachers, new schedules, and a new social scene.
Here are some ways to make the change from summer to school a little easier.
The first day of school can be crazy. New kids wander around in circles. Lockers won't open. The school nurse needs your medical records. You forgot your gym shorts. Freshmen are running in all directions, looking for their homerooms.
How can you handle it? If you're headed to a new school, try to visit before classes begin. Explore any areas of particular interest, such as the gym, library, or science labs. Some schools offer maps. Get one before school starts — then keep it in your backpack until you're familiar with your new surroundings.
Your first day is also the time to bring in school supplies and paperwork. It can help to pack your backpack the night before school starts so you're not scrambling at the last minute looking for what you need. After packing basic supplies (such as notebooks, pens, pencils, etc.), find any school forms sent over the summer: vaccination (shot) records, permission slips, and class schedules.
Did you try on eight different outfits before deciding what to wear? Lots of people check out who's wearing what on the first day of school. The key is to wear what makes you feel good, whether it's a brand-new outfit or a comfy old sweater. If you plan to wear a new pair of shoes, try them out a few days beforehand to make sure your feet won't be hurting long before last period.
Each school has a different opening-day routine. Some start with homeroom or an assembly, but others may jump right into the first-period class. You'll meet your new teachers, and they'll probably give you an overview of the course syllabus, class rules, what the semester will be like, what supplies you'll need, and expectations of your performance and behavior. Some teachers will jump right into their first lesson, while others may have non-coursework activities planned. It all depends on the class and teacher.
New place = new emotions. Lots of people feel anxious, scared, or excited about school. Although students who are coming back as seniors may be happy they're in their final year and can't wait to visit with friends, most freshmen or new kids are likely to be tense or worried.
It's perfectly normal to feel nervous on the first day of school. Getting back to the school routine and adjusting to new workloads takes some getting used to after a long summer break. If you feel nervous or anxious, think back to some previous "first days." Everything probably settled down pretty quickly once you got into the routine.
Meeting new people or getting reacquainted with classmates can feel like a lot, especially if you're the shy or reserved type. Start small: If large groups make you nervous, try saying hello to one or two new people a day — the kid at the desk next to yours in homeroom is a good place to start. Or ask new people to sit with you in the cafeteria.
If you still feel uncomfortable after a few days, talk to the school counselor, a favorite teacher, or someone else you trust about how you're feeling and what you can do. But give yourself time — most problems adjusting to school are only temporary.
What's everyone's favorite period? Lunch, what else? But with foods like tacos, pizza, or cheeseburgers staring you in the face when you're hungry, it can be hard to make healthy choices.
Here are some tricks to choosing foods that will keep you focused and active throughout the day — as well as help you grow and develop throughout the school year:
School seemed simple when you were younger. Everyone told you where to go, what classes to take, and how to finish your homework. Now things are different — so many choices and things competing for your time. Stretch yourself too thin and you might feel stressed out.
Here are some ways to get control:
Nearly everyone gets sick at one time or another. If you're out sick, ask friends to take notes and pick up your homework.
If you're out for more than a day or two, do a little work every day if you feel up to it to keep from falling behind. If your teachers post assignments and notes online, ask if they will accept emailed homework. If not, have your parent drop your assignments off at school. Then be prepared to make up lab time and tests when you return.
If you don't feel well enough to keep up with your classes, that's OK. It's more important to take care of yourself. Again, a good relationship with teachers helps them be more understanding and then they can help you catch up when you return to school.
Here are some more things that can help put you ahead in school:
School is a time to make friends and try new things. But it's also a place to learn skills like organization and decision-making that will come in handy for the rest of your life.
Reviewed by: Kathryn Hoffses, PhD
Date Reviewed: Aug 22, 2022