A time of transition

Lots of people feel anxious, scared, or excited about school. Although students who are coming back as seniors may be happy they’re in their final year and can’t wait to visit with friends, most freshmen or new kids are likely to be tense or worried.

    After a holiday of sleeping in or doing things on your mine, the bell announcing that the first day of school can be rude awakening.  Whether you’re an anxious new freshmen or a confident senior (just like me), heading back to school signals a time of transition: new classes, new teachers, new schedules and new social scene.

   Dread it or love it, you have got to school. Here are some ways to make the transition from the holidays to school a little easier.

EMOTION

   Here’s a simple equation: NEW PLACE NEW EMOTIONS. Lots of people feel anxious, scared, or excited about school. Although students who are coming back as seniors may be happy they’re in their final year and can’t wait to visit with friends, most freshmen or new kids are likely to be tense or worried.

    It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous on the first day of school. Getting back to school routine and adjusting the new workloads take some getting used to after a long break. If you’re having a mental meltdown, think back to some previous “first days”. Everything probably settled don pretty quickly once you got into the routine.

    Meeting new people or getting reacquainted with classmates can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re the shy or reserved type. Start small: If large groups make you nervous, try to saying hello to one or two people a day-the kid at the desk next to yours in hometown is a good place to start. Or ask new people to sit with you in the cafeteria.

    If you still uncomfortable after a few days, talk to the school guidance counselor, a favorite teacher, or someone else you trust about how you’re feeling and what you can do. But give yourself time-most problems adjusting to school are only temporary.

BRAIN DRAIN

   School seemed simple when you’re younger. Everyone told you where to go, what classes to take, and how to finish your homework. Now things are different; there are so many choices and priorities competing for your time. Stretch yourself too think and you may find yourself feeling stressed out.

    Here are two things you can do to help regain control:

Plan ahead.

Get a wall calendar or personal planner. Mark the dates of midterms, finals, and other tests. Note the due dates of term papers, essays, and other projects as they are assigned. List any other time commitments you have, like badminton practice or play rehearsals.  When your calendar starts to fill, learn to say no to additional activities until things calm down.

Stay ahead.

Try not to fall behind.  If you feel yourself falling behind and starting to feel frustrated, let your teachers know. It’s better to get help early on than to wait and think you can ace the final if you spend a few nights cramming.  Almost everyone struggle with a particular subject or class. If you’re having trouble with a particular subject or homework project, ask your teacher for an extra help after class. Taking a few minutes to address the problem right away can save time later, and if your teacher knows that you’re struggling with something, he or she is likely to be more understanding of the situation.

 Listen up.

Paying attention in class can actually pay off in the long run. Sure, it’s often easier said than done, but actively listening and taking notes during lectures can make recalling information easier when it comes time to study and remember things.