By the Bel: The First Day Back

Published January 21, 2014
Category: By the Bel, Columns

5 steps to Surviving your first day of High School (from a woman who did it ‘back in the day’)

In Queensland, for a few more years at least, high school begins in grade 8. The leap from primary to high school can be a culture shock you may be having nightmares about, but here are a few ways to battle the nerves and get yourself through that first day with minimal fuss.

Keep in mind, you’re a young adult now and your parents don’t need to be responsible for every aspect of your preparation any more.

#1 Dress to succeed – check the uniform policy and make sure you have everything you need (if you need socks, be sure to tell someone). Make sure everything fits, is clean and that you’ll know where it is on the first day.

#2 Sleeping beauty- sounds clichéd, I know, but eat a healthy meal and go to bed at a reasonable hour the night before, so you can wake up and be happy to start the day.

#3 Alarming – if you have to set an alarm, be sure to place it across the other side of your room so you have to physically get up to turn it off. Oh, and give yourself plenty of time to get ready, especially if you have siblings who will be getting ready for their first day at the same time.

back to school 2 #4 Book ‘em Danno – unless you’ve been told otherwise, your first day will be mostly about getting a feel for the school, getting your time tables, meeting your teachers and dealing with trivial things. No matter what happens, make sure you’re prepared to do some work. Pack either a binder with loose leaf pages in it or a notebook. Oh and remember a pen that works.

#5 Munch that Lunch – pack a lunch that will be low GI, (keeps you fuller for longer) healthy, and remember your water bottle, because an dehydrated brain has to work harder to think. You can also make this ahead of time to avoid unnecessary stress on the morning of your first day.

When all is said and done it all comes down to you. Hold your head high, act and think positively. Because what you put out there, you are sure to get back.

Good luck!!!!