Back to School – Tips for the Kids

Get into a routine

During the school holidays it is easy to get up when you want or spend lots of time on the sofa watching TV or playing Xbox, but this will mean you'll find going back to school hard. Instead, get yourself into a routine by going to bed earlier and setting your alarm to get out of bed the same time each morning. Even spend time doing different tasks throughout the day – just like you would at school.

Detective work

Knowing how to solve problems is a key skill needed at school, not only in your lessons but also in the playground. Keep your brain in working order by completing mind puzzles like word searches and crosswords or sudoku, or even create a treasure hunt to enjoy with your friends in the garden. Start by doing something each day up until it's time to return to school.

Smile

The new school year will mean you'll see old friends and perhaps even make some new ones too, but it isn't always easy. A friendly smile can make a person more approachable. Practise your smile and if you see someone on their own on the first day back, go and say hello; they might just end up being your best friend.

Try something new

Challenge your skills and abilities and your confidence by trying something new, for example, skateboarding or preparing lunch for your family. Getting used to giving new things a go helps create a 'can do' mindset for when you return to school. Knowing you can succeed with new challenges will help you feel more prepared for the new school year, where you may be working in different classes with different teachers.

Prepare yourself

Dig out your old workbooks to remember what you were learning before the summer break. If you were set homework over the holidays, now's a good time to finish whatever you haven't managed to complete yet. Preparing will make you feel more confident about going to back to class, and ready for what you will learn next. Packing your school bag and having your uniform in order also adds to feeling more at ease about returning to school.

Think of nerves as excitement

Re-frame your thoughts about feeling nervous to feeing excited. Psychologically, these feelings are almost the same. Having butterflies in the stomach is a way of preparing you for an action about to happen. Something exciting. Seeing or meeting new friends is exciting, and learning something new could create opportunities for your future. This year could be the year you learn a new language or master maths, which could create pathways to get an offer for further study at university or a chance to live abroad.

Share our helpful tips with your class and here’s to a great back-to-school season!

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