It’s that time of the year when we are closing a chapter that is one school year and starting another. Whilst this time of year generally generates excitement and new beginnings in our lives, it can also be daunting, seeing as it shows that we are aging and moving into more mature stages of life.
What do students tend to struggle with?
Adjusting to a new schedule
After 6 weeks of waking up late, not worrying about schoolwork, and no academic pressure, many students find it difficult to adjust back to their daily school routine. Additionally, adapting to a new schedule, with different classes and break times, has proven to be tough amongst students.
Academic Pressure
With every new school year, the schoolwork and the academic pressure increase, and many students struggle to cope with the workload. This is particularly true for students sitting important exams such as GCSEs and A-levels. Additionally, every school year introduces newer, yet more complex subjects. The unfamiliarity causes many students to become stressed and overwhelmed.
Staying Organized
A common struggle amongst students is time management and organization. After nearly 2 months away from school, it’s so easy to slip back into old habits when there’s no discipline or expectations on you. So staying on top of homework, assignments, and study time, whilst also trying to maintain a social life, can be very difficult. Therefore, this often leads students to procrastinate more and deal with last-minute stress.
Mental Health
The new academic year tends to bring about uncertainty and unfamiliarity. With a new timetable, classes, subjects, and increased workload, the new school year tends to cause a lot of anxiety and distress amongst students. Furthermore, many students also struggle to find the balance between their academic life and their social life, which further exacerbates such negative feelings.
But such struggles are not permanent and can easily be overcome. To help, we are providing words of advice with a list of tips to help prepare you for the next school year.
Tips for preparing for the new school year
Eating Breakfast
In recent years, research has discovered that school children who eat breakfast regularly perform better in exams, scoring on average two grades above their fellow students. Pupils who skip breakfast are more likely to fail their GCSEs. So, in order to prosper this school year, get into the habit of having meals first thing in the morning.
Punctuality is Essential
There’s an obvious connection between attendance, punctuality, and attainment. The more time a pupil spends in school, the more likely they are to improve their opportunity to reach their full potential. So, to be a successful student, be on time!
Better Yourself
Take the new school year as an opportunity to make self-improvements, so you can be the best possible version of yourself.
Avoid Stress
Remind yourself that you are far too young to be dealing with additional stress, and school should be your main priority. Cut out all negativity and remove yourself from toxic situations.
Prepare Yourself
Clean up your room, tidy up your desk and shelves, buy new school equipment, get all the necessary textbooks you need, and get familiar with your timetable. Those who are more prepared are more likely to thrive.
Set Positive Expectations
Have goals and targets for yourself, and then be determined to achieve them. Set yourself the task of achieving a specific grade by the end of the school year, tell yourself that you are going to improve in a certain subject. Tell yourself that you will achieve, and then adopt a positive outlook. Be a committed student.
Have a Routine
Get yourself into a familiar pattern that fits your needs. Have an established bedtime and a time you wake up in the morning. This will give you time for additional schoolwork, better your attendance and punctuality, create time to eat, as well as do extracurricular activities. This way, you can make time for all your needs.
Enjoy Yourself
These are the years that you will never get back. As important as it is to take your studies seriously, don’t forget to have fun! Make memories, live your life, and enjoy yourself.
Conclusion
The start of the new school year can be daunting and stressful, but only if you make it so. By making an effort to prioritize yourself, stay healthy and organized, and stay positive, transitioning into a new academic year will feel like a breeze.
