For many students, the first day of school is this week or next week. The beginning of the school year can be stressful for so many reasons. You’ve got new schedules, and for some people, a new school entirely, which can bring with it new social groups and other not-so-fun challenges. But remember, you’ll be settled in soon enough and the stressful first few days of school will be like a distant memory.
My best tips to anyone stressed about the upcoming school year would be to try to relax. Lean on your friends when you need to; that’s what they’re there for. If you don’t have friends for whatever reason, be it the new school or anything else, that’s okay. Look around your classes and lunch period for someone who looks interesting to you.
If you’re nervous about making friends, one of the best things to do is to look for a talking point before you go up to someone. Do you like their shoes? Say so! Is your favorite band on their shirt? Bring it up! (The band one works very well, in my experience.)
In addition to this, you can prepare the night before or morning of by making sure to wear something that can be something to talk about. If you really like Star Wars, for example, and you own a Star Wars shirt, throw that on. Or if you have some pretty shoes that people tend to compliment you on, wear them too.
What if someone else comes up to you first? Or what if conversation stalls, no matter who started the conversation? That’s okay. Don’t panic. If you’re standing with someone in awkward silence, bring up something you might have in common. Ask if they’ve heard anything about your first period teacher, or what grade they’re in. This will give you an idea of their personality too, though remember that other people will be just as nervous as you are, so if they’re standoffish or don’t talk much, they might just be nervous or shy.
Another tip I have would be to try to get ahead on schoolwork. This might seem boring, but it can save you in the future if you get sick or distracted for any other reason. At the very least, try not to fall behind early on. Catching up can be quite an ordeal, and it can make you even more stressed than you are now.
But the best thing to do is relax and take it day by day. There are going to be bad days and there are going to be embarrassing moments, but there are also going to be wonderful days with exciting times. If you take it slow and don’t stress yourself out by worrying way too much, you should have a great school year ahead of you. Keep your nose to the grindstone, but definitely remember to have fun too. Having fun might not be quite as important to your future as your grades are, but it’s important to your mental health!
Are you nervous about the new school year? Tell us what you’re thinking now in the comment section.
(Written by Megan Flint.)
