How to get ready for the new school year

The summer holidays are long – and for parents they can sometimes feel like a lifetime. However – for teachers and students alike – the start of the new school year can really feel like it rushes up on you far too quickly.

If you’re not careful, it can catch you unawares. So, we’ve put together some tips to help you make sure that you are ready for new school year.

Don’t panic: Relax

Even if the summer holidays end in a last-minute rush get to things done, it’s important to try to stay relaxed. The last thing you want to do is to panic. Even if you’ve left yourself with no time to do all the things you should have done over the break, try to keep some perspective.

What’s done is done, so there really is no point in stressing over it.  Worrying about things is never helpful. You just need to try to get yourself in the best head space you can from that moment on.

Hopefully though, you’ll be reading this blog way before the start of term, and it’ll give you a bit of a kick-start…

Try to keep your brain in gear during the summer holidays

Every young person deserves to (and really should) switch off and unwind during the summer holidays. You need to recharge the old batteries, after all.

However, the problem with switching off completely or for too long is that it becomes very hard to switch back on! The first couple of weeks in September are bound to be a shock to the system. That’s only natural and to be expected. Teachers feel this as much as students. 

You will feel shattered but if you’ve tried to keep your brain in gear and at least partially active during the break, you will find the transition back to term time much easier to deal with.

Have a quick recap and read through of what you did last year

Nobody is advocating working solidly throughout the summer, but it does make sense to spend a bit of time recapping what you did last year – especially if you are in-between Year 10 and 11 or Year 12 and 13. 

You’ll be surprised how reassuring it can be and how it puts you in the right frame of mind. It will also make you feel more confident about the year ahead.

It’s just about refreshing your memory. This is never a bad thing. Similarly, it’s worth spending a some time revising what you did last year. Remember, revision should never just be left to when you have exams coming up. Revise a little, a lot – and as you go through topics, not just for tests.

Get yourself prepared

From making sure your uniform still fits to getting hold of any books you need, getting prepared for new term can take many forms. Get your school bag ready and buy all the stationery and equipment you need in good time.

Getting back into the routine of term time is one of the most difficult things about the start of a new school year, but if you leave it to the day you start back… ‘difficult’ becomes ‘virtually impossible.’

Try going to bed at a sensible time at least a few days before the new term and get back into the habit of getting up early(ish) too. 

Tidy your room so it can be an effective working space from Day One.

As we said earlier, the new term will be a shock to the system.

The trick is to make sure it’s not too much of a shock!