Back To School: How To Make The Most of The New School Year

Hi, and welcome back! I hope everyone had a great summer!

Most of us are either already back in school, or will be back very soon. So I figured I could write some helpful tips and things to look out for in the new school year. Here we go.

• Organise yourself. Whether this part is easy or difficult depends on the type of person you are. Take this quiz to find out if you are organised. Of course, it's best to buy school books and supplies a few weeks before school starts, but some people prefer to wait and see what each teacher wants instead of buying things that end up being useless. My suggestion is to get a folder or binder for every subject, if your teachers allow it. That way, you can put an A4 pad of paper in each instead of a copy, which can easily be forgotten in your locker (believe me, I've been there). You can also put notes and poly pockets in a folder. Alternatively, you can have one big folder with separate compartments inside, as well as a big A4 pad. A word of advice though - it can get very heavy as you get more and more notes. 

• Try not to fall behind on homework in the first few weeks. These are the weeks when you are most relaxed and not focused on school. This way, your workload can overwhelm you. Try my blog post on coping with a huge homework load for advice. Remember - don't let the stress get to you!

• Sort out your locker, if your school has them. Remember to get a lock if they are not provided by the school! This way, you can be sure that things won't go "missing". If you live in America, you're lucky. You can really decorate and furnish your locker just the way you want it. Here are some videos I found which are really fun and useful for organising your locker.

 

• If you've just changed classes or schedules, make sure to speak up if you have any problems with it. If you have any problems with your timetable or if you want to change to a different class, go to the office or whoever is in charge of things like that and get it sorted. If you don't, you're probably going to be miserable for the rest of the school year. Besides, organisational issues are best fixed at the start of the year, when schedules are still flexible and classes aren't full. Why make your life difficult later when you can sort out your problems now?

• Make a conscious effort to talk to people you don't know yet. Look friendly and open. Most people are naturally drawn to happy, bubbly people. Make a lasting first impression - it will make school life much easier later on. However, don't abandon your old friends either!

• If there's a new person in your class or year, reach out to them! Moving to a new school is one of the most stressful things ever. Try to put yourself in the new person's shoes. If you see the new person sitting by themselves at lunch or in class, or looking lost in the hallway, talk to them! Everyone appreciates a friendly person. And who knows, you might make a new friend!

• If you yourself are new in school, make sure to be friendly. You don't want to be labelled as a loner or a loser. Unfortunately, we live in a very judgmental society and first impressions are key. Smile at people and chat to them, without being overly clingy of course. You'll make new friends in no time. Beware though - a lot of the people you meet have probably known each other for years. You don't have the advantage. Try not to come between friends. Avoid making people dislike you. That brings me to my next point...

• Stay out of trouble. Try to show your teachers that you are ready for another year of school, however much you may want to be anywhere else. If they see that you are serious, at least in the first few weeks, they will like you more throughout the year. You ride on first impressions, so make them good. As well as that, try not to get in with the wrong crowd. It happens so much, we see it in everyday life as well as in the media. Remember to always stand by your morals and what you value in life. Nobody can make you do anything you don't feel comfortable doing. If you feel uncomfortable doing something, it's probably best if you stopped doing it. It's not good for you and besides, people can spot a fake from miles away.

• Finally, a tip that I always find a way to sneak in: join extra-curricular activities. Find something that you have a genuine interest in, whether in school or outside it. Joining sports is always a good idea, as it keeps you fit and healthy as well as allowing you to have fun and meet new people. However, find something that suits you, whether it's drama, dance, an art class or a photography course. 

That's it for today, I hope I helped just a little. Going back to school isn't a bad thing unless you make it one. If you miss summer and wish you could keep it for a little while longer, read this.