2016 Aug 26
Alright kids, buckle up. The holidays are almost over and it’s time to get back to school. We don’t get summer holidays here in Sri Lanka, which is pretty sad because summer holidays usually differ from a month to three months. But since we have summer all year around here I think that exception can be made. After August, for all the international school kids is a new school year. And for the national school kids, time to get back and finish the last term off.
Parents are busy draining their wallets on textbooks and school supplies, kids are busy regretting growing up, this time of the year is definitely one to talk about.
Let’s face it. No matter how old or what grade you may be in, going back to school is never a positive experience for anyone. Unleash the gates of hell. (Alright, that might have been a tad too exaggerated)
Here’s some tips that you can follow and perhaps add onto your back to school routine. Have a great new year/term at school!
Tip #1 Have a morning routine
This is absolutely crucial. Going back to school means working on time and waking up early. For those of you uni students, partying all night like you did during your vacation is over. Create a new morning routine. Set your alarm early so you have enough time to wake up, maybe work out a little bit or finish up your homework, then have your breakfast and then leave ample time to get dressed, get ready for school and to leave home on time.
Maybe a timed ‘get ready’ playlist would help you with get through the processes of taking a shower and getting dressed much faster.
Tip #2 Make a schedule
Organization is of grave importance if you want to succeed at school or university. You absolutely need to have your life together and that includes managing your time and your activities. Create a schedule, if you’re busy person with a lot going on outside of school/uni, maybe part time work or your extra-curricular activities, make yourself a schedule so that you know what is when, and do your best to stick to it.
Tip #3 Lessons learnt
We all make mistakes. Take it as a lesson learnt and move on. Life is never easy, whether you’re in second grade or your final year in uni. No matter how old, you’ll face daily obstacles and make mistakes that would hold you back.
Learn from every single step you take. School is a very important learning experience and it’s the only place where you can make a mistake and won’t fall into serious trouble, as you would, let’s say in workplace. (Unless of course you do something beyond limits)
Tip #4 Have your school supplies sorted
You cannot walk into school on your first day without all your textbooks or you’re stationery. If it’s your coursework, you need to have it sorted. Speak to your teachers/lecturers beforehand so that you know exactly what you need and what is required of you on your first day back.
If you have additional reading lists, go to the library beforehand and get your material sorted. Don’t walk into school as a lost cause, trust me, you’ll end up spending the rest of your school year that way.
Tip #5 Be prepped
Be prepared. This goes along the lines of being organized and having a schedule. Know your basics. Read your syllabus and skim through your subjects before you walk into class. That way you will not only impress your teachers by looking and being confident, you feel also feel much more confident in yourself. Read, read, and re-read. If you want to have straight A’s and good grades, use this free time to go through your study material so that you are more prepared when it comes to your subjects and your coursework.
Tip #6 Connect with your friends
There’s a very low chance of you actually losing touch with your friends entirely over the course of a month, but if you’re like me and you know very well that it’s a possibility, then you better get back in touch with them at least a few days before school starts.
Connect with your friends, find out what they are up to, and ask them for any additional help you may need, clarify any doubts you have before walking in back to school.
Tip #7 Do not procrastinate
Procrastination should definitely be off limits. They say it only takes 2 minutes of focus to help concentrate on one activity. That means that instead of binge watching you favourite TV shows, if you really take your econ book out and try and read a page or two, you probably would end up studying it.
If you ever feel like slacking off, do everything you can to resist the temptation. Start doing your work and eventually you’ll find yourself doing the task the best you can.
Tip #8 Set targets
Write out a list of goals that you want to achieve for the upcoming school year! Do you want to make the lead role in the play, get that varsity spot on the basketball team or improve your grades? You can reach all the goals you set for this year! When you write down every goal you are able to plan and realize what you need to do to prepare for them. Having that list can be a driving and motivating force to help you work to achieve those goals.
Every new school year is an opportunity for a fresh start, new friends, and to make it count. You have the potential to make this year one of the best ones yet!
Tip #9 Get Involved
Getting involved with your school environment is great because you can pursue your interest and meet friends and peers who have the same and similar interest as you. Many studies have shown that students who are involved in sports and school activities are able to achieve higher grades. If you enjoy playing sports try out for the school team. If you are a musician or actor then join your school band or theatre company and share your talent with your friends. Join clubs that you are interested in and attend all the meetings. If your school doesn’t have the sports you play, a club you want to join, or a musical or theatre program then talk to your school administrators and see if you are able to start your own! It is amazing to have something that you are passionate about and enjoy doing so never be afraid to pursue your interests.
Tip #10 Enjoy your experience
The absolute golden rule of going back to school: Enjoy your experience! The time you spend at school and at uni are the best days of your life. No matter how stressful, tiring or frustrating it gets at times, these years are ones you will look back many many years into your future and cherish. Memories you made in school will stick with you forever, make use of your time at school. Time does fly when you’re having fun. You wouldn’t want to wake up one day and regret not joining a club in school or maybe trying out a new sport. School is the only place that lets you make mistakes and lets you learn from the mistakes you made. Seize every opportunity that comes your way. Have a great first day back at school!
