Have an action plan
You may have no idea what your teachers plan to do for the first day of school - some teachers choose to reserve the first lesson for introductions, some use it to set expectations for the year. Some teachers even start teaching right away. No matter what their objective for the day is, you might want to arrive with some plans of your own! The first day of school is a good time to gather information that will help you for the rest of the year. Get to know your teachers! Many teachers will take some time to explain what they expect from you for the year in terms of homework and assignments. Take notes on this so you can decide how to manage your workload for each subject. You might want to stay back to clarify things with your teachers and take the opportunity to speak directly with them for the first time. This will make it easier for you to approach them in the future when you need help. Use the first day to make some new friends too. Good friends and classmates will support you throughout your academic journey and make your experience in school an enjoyable one.
Pack what you need
Pack ahead of time to avoid rushing and panicking on your first day. Do you have any holiday assignments to submit? Look out for communication from your school or your teachers informing you of anything you need to bring on the first day! It’s quite common for students to forget their name tags, badges and other parts of their uniform. Make sure you have everything so that you make a good impression and feel good about yourself on your very first day! Pack a planner or notebook along with your stationary to take down any important information and a folder to keep any worksheets or forms you might receive. Lastly, bring a water bottle and stay hydrated to keep your brain functioning at its best!
Talk to your friends and family
Are you excited for your first day? Nervous about entering a new environment? Share your feelings about returning to school with your friends and family. Friends can help share in any worries you might have and help you feel less alone. Even if you are going to different schools or taking different classes, you can support each other by lending a listening ear and offering advice. Parents can help initiate a conversation about school by asking what your child is looking forward to, or asking about any concerns they might have. This will signal to your child that they can approach you with any issues they face at school throughout the year and open a channel of communication between you. Talking through your feelings can also help you trace the source of any stress you might be feeling and help you feel better on our first day!
Get enough rest
The amount and quality of rest you get the day before can determine the experience you have on your first day of school! Finish any holiday assignments you might have ahead of time so you’re not stressing over them or staying up late to complete them on the last day of your break. Showing up sleep deprived can make you less alert, impair your memory and increase feelings of stress and put you in a bad mood on your first day. Get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep to have an enjoyable and fruitful start to your school year! Unfortunately, sleep does not always come easily and overthinking can prevent you from getting the sleep you need. Following some of the previously mentioned tips can help you relax and enter a restful state. Turning off your electronics, lowering the temperature and darkening your bedroom can also help you fall asleep!
All the best!