Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the summer vacation
• Part 2 of 3: Prepare the night before
• Part 3 of 3: Getting through your first day
• Tips
• Warnings

Summer is over and the time has come to start thinking about school again. Some find that very exciting, but for others it can be very stressful. There are many things you need to do to make sure you have a great first day of school. Preparation for school usually starts in the last few weeks before classes start again, but you should really use all of the summer to prepare yourself for the year ahead. The right school supplies, plenty of rest, and good posture will all go into making sure your first day of school goes as smoothly as possible.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the summer vacation

1. Keep busy in the summer. In general, people who spend too much of their summer indoors and chill out have the most trouble with the first few days of the new school year. While summer should also be about having fun and relaxing, you should also try to stay active and busy. There are many ways you can do that:
   • You can take a side job to earn some extra money. This way you will not only keep going and gain useful experience, but you will also earn nice extra money. With a little extra money to hand, you are guaranteed to get what it contains from your summer.
   • You can also spend the long summer days by doing sports. In addition, you will be fitter than ever after the summer.
2. Also keep learning in the summer. The people who have the most difficulty with school in the beginning are those who have not learned during the summer. And learning really doesn't have to be boring! You can learn about anything you want, be it history, music or film noir. Keeping your brain in learning mode will give you an edge over the rest when school starts again.
   • If you like to get high marks and know in advance which courses you will be taking, then you can already do some research into that material. This way you will be some kind of expert in that field even before you have taken a class!
3. Spend time with friends who attend the same school as you. In most schools, the student population consists mainly of people from the neighborhood. If you have friends who live in the same area as you, chances are you will go to the same school! Try to forge a stronger bond with those friends. Spend some of your summer with them to strengthen the bond. While you will always be a little nervous about the first day of school, friends who care about you can help you get through that day a lot easier.
4. Buy your school supplies. Making sure you have all your school supplies is perhaps the single most important thing you can do to prepare for the new school year. The things you need can differ per subject. Many of the school subjects probably have an online page where you can see which items you need and need to bring with you. Print a copy of each supplies list and take it to an office supply store. Certain things, like pens and paper, are going to be needed for almost every trade - so you can buy a good stack that you can use all year round. Here are some other things you'll almost certainly need on your first day of school:
   • A backpack with comfortable shoulder straps.
   • A sturdy binder with lined paper.
   • Pens (red and black / blue) and HB pencils.
   • Notepads or notebooks; one for each course you take.
   • Scissors.
   • A (graphing) calculator and graph paper, provided you follow mathematics.
   • A small bottle of hand cleaner.
   • A USB stick on which you can store your digital schoolwork.

Part 2 of 3: Prepare the night before

1. Find out exactly how to get to school. Arranging reliable transport is necessary. It is extremely important that you arrive at school well and truly on the first day. The first day of school is stressful enough, and you don't want it to go wrong just because you mixed up two things. There are probably several ways you can go to school:
   • Of course, if you live close enough, you can always walk to school.Plus, it's a good form of exercise and it's nice to get some oxygen flowing before you start your day. If you're a little nervous, walking will also make you less stressed.
   • You can ask your parents to bring you by car. While they may not always be able to take you by car, a lift on the first day of school can make that day run as smoothly as it gets.
   • Most schools are easily accessible by bus (or any other form of public transport). These buses will drop you off right in front of the school, and the way there will allow you to meet new friends!
   • Think about the environment and go carpooling. That is also a lot safer than having to rely on your parents for your transport all the time.
2. Tidy up your room the night before the first day of school. When you go back to school, you won't have much time left for things like cleaning and tidying up. Clean up your room for a while. That way, after your first day of school, you will be able to return to a nice clean place where you can relax.
3. Choose your clothes and put them somewhere next to your bed. It can be a nerve-wracking experience not picking out your clothes until the day itself - especially when you're concerned about the first impression you leave behind! Fortunately, you have plenty of time the day before to put together an outfit. Find your favorite clothes and put them neatly in a place next to your bed. This way you will not have to stress about what to wear.
   • We can't really give you fashion advice, because it really depends on your personality. Ideally, you're wearing something that's not too over the top, something that's comfortable, and something that's clean.
   • If you haven't already, it is probably a good idea to give your clothes a wash.
   • If your school has a dress code (for example a uniform), you can choose to use accessories. Buttons and fringes can give an outfit that little bit extra. Just be careful not to break any policies with your accessories!
4. Get at least eight hours of sleep. You have probably heard this advice before. While five or six hours is enough for some people, you will need at least eight to make it through the next day successfully - especially if you want to make a good impression. Getting enough sleep is even more important if you are sixteen years old or younger. Your body needs more time to rest while you are still growing.
   • If you have been up late all summer, it is wise to resume your normal sleep schedule a week before the first day of school. That way you make it a lot easier for yourself to get used to the new schedule.
   • Forget about illuminated screens and electronics if you have trouble falling asleep. Rather, try to read a book. That way, you will naturally feel tired after a while.

Part 3 of 3: Getting through your first day

1. Get up fresh and early. If you've had a good night's sleep, this shouldn't be a problem. Set your alarm so that you have at least an hour to get yourself ready. Drink a glass of cold water. After you have slept for eight hours, your body will need moisture. Drinking cold water will give your body an energy boost that will get you through the morning.
2. Get ready for the day. Take a nice long shower. Make sure you are clean and at least look reasonably well-groomed. After showering, put on the clothes you prepared the night before. If you decide to wear something else at the last minute, you can open the closet to try something new. Just keep an eye on the time - you'll want to have plenty of time for breakfast, and you don't want to be late on your first day!
   • If you have bad skin and want to fix it, you can buy a good toner and skin cream. If you apply the skin cream to your face for at least a week, the problem should go away.
3. Eat a full and nutritious breakfast. The importance of a hearty and healthy breakfast should not be underestimated. With a good breakfast you will get through the day better. Make sure to add some fruits and vegetables to your breakfast as those are the things that give you energy. Sugary cereals are fine, but only if they are just part of the entire breakfast.
   • If you're feeling a bit dull, you can grab a cup of coffee while sitting up. Just don't drink too much of it. An overdose of caffeine can cause nervousness and headaches.
4. Go to school 15 minutes early. You can quickly ruin your first day by fearing that you will be late. To make sure that doesn't happen, try to arrive at school at least 15 minutes before the first class. This will give you time to figure out where exactly the lessons are taking place, and who knows, you might even strike up a conversation with a new friend.
5. Prepare for every lesson. Look for the right room and be on time. Make sure to put all the supplies on the table when you sit down. If the teacher hasn't said anything yet, pen and paper will probably suffice. You can use the time you wait for class to start by getting to know your classmates. Chances are they are at least a little nervous, so getting to know each other a little can be mutually beneficial.
6. Participate actively in class. Ask questions. Be an integral part of the lesson. The most important thing you try to achieve on the first day of school is to set a precedent for future peak days at school. This means building relationships with teachers and classmates, asking questions if you have them, and taking good notes.
   • It is wise to keep the syllabus of each course in your binder. There will certainly be times later when you need to consult them. Keep them somewhere you can access them easily so you can save yourself the embarrassment of having to ask for them again!
7. Be open to making new friends. In principle, everyone at school is to learn, but of course school is also a great place to meet new people. It could just be that the friends you make at school could be lifelong friends. The first day of school is ideal for meeting new people, so walk into the classroom with a big smile and don't be afraid to start conversations with your classmates.
   • If you suffer from social anxiety, the extra courage you gather on day one and the new friends you make can help you overcome that shyness. You will soon find out that the vast majority of people around you are potential friends you haven't bothered to talk to yet!
8. Look for different clubs and sports teams you might want to participate in. School clubs usually start early in the year, so it is wise to check the bulletin boards right away. You can find great clubs at most schools, and chances are that there is something for you too. Do you like music? Join the choir or guitar club. Are you a fan of Akiro Kurosawa and Lars von Trier's films? In that case, the film club is perfect for you. Participating in such clubs is an excellent way to further develop the interests you already have and gives you an excellent opportunity to meet people who are on the same wavelength.
   • If you are really passionate about something but for which there is no club yet, you can consider starting a school club yourself!
9. Try to enjoy it. It may seem like you are taking on a lot of hay, but don't forget that your first day of school should also be a fun experience. You surround yourself with people that you will spend much of the coming year with, and there is no reason not to enjoy them. Learn to overcome the fears and nerves you are experiencing and put on a big smile all day long.
10. When you get home, make sure you relax. Nothing is better than coming home after a first day of school. Compared to other days, the first day at school will seem incredibly long. This is largely due to the many different things and people you have been exposed to that day. Make sure to spoil yourself. Sit comfortably in the couch and watch your favorite movie. It's even better to ask one of the new friends you've met to do something fun together. Relax and enjoy knowing you've made a great start to a school year that is hopefully going to be great too!

Tips

• Make sure to introduce yourself to all of your teachers. Good relationships with your teachers can make it easier for you to get through lessons - especially if you have difficulty with a particular subject.
• If you are still concerned about something, you could try talking to a parent or counselor about it. They should at least be able to reassure you a little.

Warnings

• Don't pretend to be different than you are. You can't keep that up for a whole year. The first impression is very important, but insignificant if it is not genuine. Just be yourself. The people you should befriend will naturally find their way to you.