Survive the First Day of School

Everybody is nervous the first day of school, whether it's your former school or a new school. So, even though it feels like you swallowed a knife and your head hurts beyond belief after seeing that one dreaded teacher you will have all year, here are a few steps on how to look and begin to feel comfortable.

Steps

Preparation

  1. Plan ahead. You're going to be lost if you skip this step. It's the most important. Make sure that you have all your school supplies, such as folders, paper, pencils, and pens. Your school will most likely have the list online, at a store, or you could pick it up from the school. If you can't find a list, just get what you think you'll need.
    • Get your schedule before the first day of school, this saves you from getting lost. Look over it a few times before the first day of school, or visit the school and take a look around.
  2. Get new clothes or borrow clothes. It'll probably make you feel more confident if you're not wearing the same clothes as last year. Of course, it really doesn't matter if you wear the same outfits, but at least have a few new outfits to wear.
    • Make sure whatever you wear follows your school's dress code.
  3. Get ready the night before. Plan out what you're going to wear and what you will need for class. Also, put out any makeup, accessories, or any hair products you'll be using.
    • Put your school supplies, bag, gym clothes, lunch bag etc. together in an easy place to find so in the morning you can just pick it up and go without having to search for them all.
  4. Make sure to have money in your wallet. Have sufficient change for last-minute needs, snacks, a cab home in an emergency.
  5. Get a nice, long sleep. There's nothing worse than looking terrible on the first day of school. If you tend to oversleep, set an alarm on your phone, iPod, or alarm clock to wake you up on time.

The morning of the first day at school

  1. Eat a good breakfast. You'd be surprised how much happier and more focused you'll be after eating a good breakfast. Try cereals & muesli, toast, pancakes, fruits, or other filling and healthy breakfasts. A protein rich breakfast may make you feel sluggish and high GI or sugar rich foods may affect your ability to stay focused.
  2. Decide whether to take the bus, walk, or hitch a ride from your parents. It's your call. If you want something familiar and routine, take a bus ride and sit next to someone you already know (no need to add to the nerves by sitting next to a stranger, you can conquer that on the second day back). However, if you are really nervous and want your parent to drive you to school for comfort, have them drive, but expect that there will be heavy traffic.
  3. Know when your bus is expected to arrive at your bus stop. Get to the bus stop early in case it comes earlier then you'd expect.

Back at school

  1. Pretend that it is just another day of school.
  2. Come with some good Tell-a-Joke to break the ice with a friend you haven't seen in a while.
  3. Smile and be Be-Friendly! You want to seem approachable and like you had the best summer (even if you didn't). Instead of coming off as a boring or sullen person, compliment people. Everyone needs a little confidence boost on the first day of school.
    • Be friendly to the new kids who might be there.
    • Smile, and wave to anyone you remember from last year.
  4. Meet up with your friends and see if you have any classes together or the same lunch period. You might want to do this before the first day of school though, because you'll want to make it to your classes on time!
    • Call up your friends that go to the same school and arrange to meet up in the morning, that way you won't have to sit alone at lunch or wonder where they are.
    • Sit next to people you feel comfortable with if it is not possible to get lunch with your friends.
  5. Do everything one class at a time. Don't be worrying about your upcoming class, or thinking about how your friends said Mrs. Smith is terrible and evil when she's four classes away. You need to focus on meeting your new teacher, taking notes, listening to rules, etc. Daydreaming on the first day of school is a terrible, wrong idea and will probably give your new teacher a bad first impression.

During the day

  1. Try to make some friends if this is a new school. However, don't be needy and begging for friends, just Be-Yourself. New schools are also a great opportunity to change your style without people making fun of you or thinking you're phony.
    • Look for friendly faces.
    • Show a friendly face, smile (smile back if someone smiles at you).
  2. Do not complain around others. "It's hot." "She's mean" "This is boring" "My lunch was nasty". Be positive. Nobody likes to hang around a Deal-With-Negative-People.
  3. Create a to-do list for the things you have to do as you're told them. It's good to get into practice using your diary early. Also write down what you'll need to buy in addition to the things already purchased––usually these are things the teachers request at the start.
  4. Don't judge your new teachers too harshly. They are nervous as well. Some people are just horrible at good first impressions.
  5. Practice your locker code so you don't have to be late for any classes. If you want to, you can put it in your phone so you have it secure.
  6. Have fun. School doesn't always have to be boring. Make jokes, talk to people, sing. Do something crazy! Remember not to be disruptive when you should be paying attention, though. If you want time to fly by, enjoying yourself is a great way.

Tips

  • Remember that everyone is feeling the same way as you are, and you're not alone.
  • Dress comfortably on the first day back and dress for the weather.
  • Dress for success. Dress comfortably, but try to look nice, at least for the first week or so.
  • You do not need to find a significant other within the first week.
  • For the first week of school, the teachers cut you some slack, but don't get used to it. It won't always be easy!
  • Conversation starters include the following:
    • "How was your summer?"
    • "I like your hair/outfit!"
    • "Did you watch that show on TV called..."
  • If you really don't like one of your teachers by the end of the first week, go see a guidance counselor for a change in schedule. Or, see it as a chance to learn how to get along with people in life––after all, you can't change bosses or co-workers without quitting your job.
  • If you get lost,don't panic! Ask a teacher or anyone to help you out.
  • Be nice, and don't be a bully. It can really hurt their feelings and can make them consider you as a bad person. If a lot of people feel this way, they may not include you or may not want to befriend you.
  • Try not to put any extra pressure on your teachers, they are under as much stress as you are.
  • If you don't have assigned seating, sit in the front of the class. Due to less distractions, it helps you to learn better.
  • Go talk to guidance if you need any help. They are there to help you succeed.
  • Be responsible, respectful, and ready to learn!
  • Have a positive attitude and try to be as friendly as possible to everyone, even to teachers.
  • If someone makes fun of you or bullies you on the first day, just ignore them and move on. If it continues, report it to an adult.
  • Make sure you have a planner so you can write all your homework down or when you need to study.
  • Have fun and don't worry about what other people think of you.
  • Don't judge others. They might be scared like you or they're really shy. Try to make friends with them. If they choose to pick on you, tell them to back off without being disrespectful. If it continues you should tell a teacher about it.

Warnings

  • Don't judge a person by looks. That geeky kid might be a really cool person, or that jock might like books as much as you do.
  • Don't judge someone by their clothes, wealth, or voice.
  • Don't talk bad about others because that person that you are talking negatively about may actually be your friend the week after and someone may tell them what you said.
  • Remember, bad first impressions can lead to a bad year.
  • Make sure you eat breakfast, or you'll be hungry before lunch. Keep in mind that most teachers won't allow any food in class.
  • Having a boyfriend or girlfriend isn't necessary to enjoy school. In fact, it might be easier to go without one.
  • Don't be overconfident or you may come off as arrogant and cocky.
  • Don't complain/brag about what you are wearing. That might make you sound arrogant and rude.

Things You'll Need

  • School supplies
  • Class schedule
  • A camera (only if allowed at school)
  • Confidence
  • An alarm clock to wake up in the morning on time (optional)
  • A bag to carry your things (optional)
  • Lunch money or lunch bag

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