Feeling nervous or even anxious being back at school? Read on for top tips!
Be prepared
Preparing ahead and getting yourself read is the best way to start. Make sure you have everything that you need ready the night before as 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. 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. This may mean turning off TV’s and phones a little earlier so your body can relax and get ready to sleep. Being too tired can impact your mood, behaviour, and ability to concentrate.
Start the day well, eat and stay hydrated throughout the day
Start your day well with a healthy breakfast (porridge, low sugar cereal, fruit, wholemeal toast). This will give you the best possible start to the day. Make sure you take some delicious healthy snacks to keep your energy levels up throughout the day and stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Remember 60% of your body is water, so staying hydrated is essential. 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.
Focus on the positives
When you are feeling worried about returning to school it can be easy to just focus on the negatives. These negatives add to 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 postives to focus on: friends, learning opportunities, social opportunities, seeing your favourite teachers, lots of wellbeing support, extra-curricular opportunities and much more. What are the positives for you?
Speak out
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. Carrying those worries by yourself will only make things worse. Many children will be feeling worried and will be struggling adapting back to school life and you are not alone! Try speaking to a parent/carer, teacher or tutor or even share your worries with a friend. A problem shared is a problem halved, and we can approach our problems in a better and informed way when we share. 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.
Give yourself time
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.
