Going from long, frolic summer days back to the rigors of a classroom can be a challenge for any student like you. It’s totally normal for you to experience a mixture of emotions about returning to school. Jitters, for example. You may be asking questions such as
Will other students like me? Will I make friends easily? Will I fit in the squad?
This is especially true if you are a new student, a transferee, or it is your first time to go to school.
We all go through this kind of feeling. You aren’t alone in this. Fortunately, there are few ways to combat back-to-school jitters.
1. Reach out to your teacher.
Try to communicate with your teacher be it through email, text, or even in person. Introduce yourself and share any concerns you may have. Educators spend a lot of time learning about each student, so you can help save them time by doing this. Besides that, this can be a great way to establish a strong relationship with your teacher and you can have a good start in building a communication channel.
2. Make connections.
Dr. Adelayo, a practicing psychiatrist with Banner Behavioral Health Hospital, believes that a child like you may have anxiety about making friends, particularly for you who who may be new to a neighborhood or school. When you are able to make social connections before the start, it can help with the transition and adjustment.
You can make connections by interacting in your GCs (group chats), joining clubs of your interests, and winning a friend by sharing a seat at the canteen.
3. Rest and take time to breath.
Going to bed earlier and shutting off the tablet or smartphone before bedtime can ease nerves before the school day. If anxiety is keeping you up at night, it is suggested that you use mindfulness and meditation apps that cater to students, such as Smiling Mind. These apps can calm the mind and reduce anxiety.
Make it a habit to seek help with your parents, peers, teachers, and school officials if you think you are experiencing back-to-school jitters. A school community wants you to feel at home away from home.
Reference:
Olsson, Regan. “First Day Jitters: 5 Ways To Beat The Back-to-School Butterflies.” Banner Health, Banner Health, 25 July 2019, www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/advise-me/five-ways-to-beat-first-day-of-school-jitters.
