Written by Is it time to go back to school again? You might feel excited about returning to school after a break to see your friends again and learn new things. But let’s be honest: there’s also THAT feeling of anxiety or worry. Maybe you’re wondering how tough your classes will be, how you’ll interact with your new classmates, not having close friends in the same class, or what your new teachers will expect.
But let me tell you, feeling this way is completely normal!
I know there’s a lot to think about and prepare for, whether you’re moving to a new school or just going up a grade. It’s also a good time to look back at last year, figure out what went wrong, and plan how to improve now.
You might also ask, “How can I start the school year right now?”
Well, don’t fret because I’m going to share 10 simple tips on how to make going back to school fun and easy!
1. Make a School-Supply Checklist
Having a list of what school supplies you need is helpful. It stops you from worrying about not having everything for class and saves you from rushing to buy things at the last minute. We don’t want that, right?
It also helps you figure out what you already have and need to buy, so you can manage your money better (if you’re given an allowance) or ask your parents to buy it.
Start by getting a copy of the supply list from your school if they provide one. You can also simply search for a good checklist on the internet. Then, go through your old supplies at home to see what you can still use. Make a note of what’s left and what new things you need to buy. Don’t forget to check off items as you buy them.
2. Get Organized
Before school starts, make sure your study space at home is well organized and that it’s a quiet spot where you can study without distractions. Don’t forget to have a specific place for all your stuff, like books, notebooks, and pens.
You can also use a planner or a digital app to keep track of important dates, such as assignment deadlines and upcoming tests, to manage your schedule properly. For more advice, see our study tips article.
3. Create a Daily Routine and Stick to It
Creating and sticking to a daily schedule helps you stay focused while doing your schoolwork and having time for yourself. Start by picking the most important tasks you need to do and slowly add them to your day.
It’s also good to plan out your day the evening before so you don’t end up feeling rushed in the morning. Remember, it’s fine to adjust your plan as you move along. Every once in a while, look at your routine and change it if needed. The goal of having a daily routine is to find the right schedule that suits you.
4. Set Goals
Think of it as a plan showing where you want to go this school year. These personal goals can be about improving your grades, joining a club you’ve been interested in, making new friends, or managing your time better. Having these goals helps you determine what’s most important, keeps you organized, and lets you see how you’re doing.
To start, think about what you want to achieve and why it matters to you. Keep your goals simple and clear, and make sure you can do it. Write them down somewhere you can see often, like in a notebook or phone, because seeing them regularly can help keep you focused.
If you’ve got big goals, break them down into smaller steps so you don’t get overwhelmed. And remember, it’s okay to change your goals if needed. Setting these goals is about making the school year work better for you.
5. Participate in Extracurricular Activities
Getting involved in extracurricular activities is important. Joining clubs, playing sports, or doing things like music or art can help you figure out what you like to do and improve at it. It’s also a great way to make new friends who like the same stuff you do. This can make school more fun and less stressful.
To get into activities, look out for clubs or teams you can join as soon as the school year starts. Your school might have a fair or a meeting where you can see all the different groups you can join.
Just make sure you still have enough time for homework and studying. You might want to talk to older students or teachers to get tips on juggling everything.
6. Sleep Well
Getting enough sleep is important when you’re going back to school. It helps your brain work better so you can focus, remember your lessons, and solve problems more easily. Getting proper amounts of sleep also tends to put you in a better mood which helps with handling stress.
To make sure you’re getting enough sleep, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps your body get into a good sleep routine. Before bed, do something relaxing like reading instead of looking at your phone or computer, because the light from screens can make it hard to fall asleep. Also, make your sleeping space comfortable so you can sleep more easily. See our sleep tips for help falling asleep.
7. Connect with People
Building connections with people at school is important. Knowing your teachers well is good because they can guide you better at school.
Making friends is just as important. They’re there for you when you need to talk, make you feel like you fit in, and give you comfort or advice when things get hard. Also, having friends makes school fun and gives you a reason to show up every day.
So, how do you make these connections? Just be yourself and interact. You can talk to your classmate beside you or try joining a club or team at school. See our friends guide for help making new friends.
8. Ask for Help When Needed
Sometimes, school can feel a bit overwhelming, with all the homework and chores to do. If you are stuck on something, don’t hesitate to ask for help. This could mean talking to your teacher, asking a classmate, or getting extra support from your family if needed.
When you ask for help, find the right person to ask or someone you can trust, whether it’s a teacher, your parents, or maybe your friend. But remember to be open to learning and be patient, too.
9. Find Ways To Manage Stress
Going back to school means you have to deal with classes, homework, and after-school activities all over again, and let’s be honest. That can be pretty stressful. If you don’t keep your stress in check, it can make it harder for you to concentrate, learn, and do well in school.
Too much stress isn’t good for your body or mind, either. It could leave you feeling anxious, sad, burnout, or even having trouble sleeping.
To manage your stress, keep a good routine that balances study and personal time. You can also try activities that calm you down. For example, if reading a book or watching a movie is your way to lower stress, do that!
You can also try meditation or simple breathing exercises to calm down and help you focus better. Don’t be shy about talking to a teacher or person you trust if things feel overwhelming. They can offer support and ideas on how to manage stress.
10. Screen Time and Distractions
Staying mindful about how much time you spend on screens is important when you return to school. It’s easy to get so distracted from your phones and computers that it could affect how you study or do your homework.
As you get back into the school routine, reducing screen time can improve your sleep, help you stay more alert in class, and help you focus on your tasks. Not to mention, you can get your schoolwork done faster and improve your studies.
To stop spending too much time on screens, make some rules for yourself. For example, when you’re studying or doing homework, make it a rule to stay away from your phone and laptop.
You can also use apps to track your time on devices and help limit phone use or block distractions while studying.
Planning your day can help a lot, too. You can set aside a specific schedule for studying, taking breaks, and doing fun stuff without screens. Instead of using your phones or laptops, you can also try to read a book, listen to music, play with your friends, go outside, or anything to spend your time.
Starting the school year well is important if you want to start your school year right. But remember, starting strong doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. It’s totally okay to make mistakes. If there are moments when you can’t stick to all these tips, don’t beat yourself up about it. The important thing is to learn from them and keep trying your best. You’ve got this!
Do you have any back to school tips? Let us know in the comments!
