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Back to School Tips: Taking Care During the School Year

Going back to school can bring a lot of changes at once: new classes, new people, early mornings, and pressure around grades. Feeling nervous, tired, or overwhelmed during this transition is common, and you are not alone.

The tips below cover sleep, study habits, test anxiety, friendships, social media, food, movement, and self-care. Some will help you get ready for the first week back, and others are for the tough days later in the school year. Try a few of these self-care and coping tips, keep what works for you, and let go of the rest.

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Back to school is a huge stressor for many of us! Take some time to think about what will help you be successful this academic school year. Who are your support people and how can you access them when you need to?

Not sure about a course you’ve enrolled in? Meet with a guidance counsellor or an academic advisor to talk about your options! You don’t have to stay in a class if it’s not for you! Make a visit to your school’s guidance office. See what services they offer so you’re ready if you need them.

Transitioning from summertime to schooltime can be pretty overwhelming. No matter how much you prepare, it can still feel unsettling getting back into the swing of things. Don’t be afraid to take a step back to find your footing before you embark on the new school year! You’d be surprised how many other students are having the same fears as you are about the upcoming school year. You’re not alone!

Tough day at school? Remember that brighter days are to come. Tomorrow is a brand new day. You’ve got this!

Introduce yourself to three random people. Not everyone will become a friend, but one just might.

Establish a healthy sleep schedule that you can stick to throughout the year. Try to be in bed at least 9 hours before you have to wake up, but be realistic and mindful of what’s best for you.

Staying organized when it comes to your schoolwork can be a big help. When you see a busy week, plan ahead and complete some early if you can. Try out some strategies like using a planner/calendar, highlighting important information or organizing your notes after school. Have a smartphone? Download a productivity app to help you organize your increasingly hectic life.

Getting stressed about all the things you have to do? List them in order of priority and tackle one at a time!

Do all your readings before the given class. It’ll make note-taking easier. Consider recording your lectures in case you tune out! Just check with your teacher or professor first.

Write your favourite quotes throughout your notebooks/binders to feel inspired when you open them up.

Do you feel anxious before writing an exam? You’re not alone. Many students face test anxiety, so grab a few friends and try to study together! It often helps to hear what other people have to say about a topic, and that way you can bounce around ideas.

Pinpoint what is stressing you out most and work on solutions or ways that help you cope with that specific issue.

Needing to get good grades can be stressful! Focus on doing your best, and remember that your worth is not defined by your average. Ask for help from your teachers if the pressure is getting to be too much. Remember that your mental health is more important than your grades.

Too busy to pack a lunch? It could be impacting your energy and focus. Take time the night before to pack your lunch. Get all your school gear ready before bed. Then you won’t be rushed in the morning and can even sleep in!

Get some groceries to make an elaborate breakfast tomorrow morning so you can start your day with a kick!

Try to avoid energy drinks. While they may be a quick pick-up, they can increase anxiety and can result in a steep energy crash.

It can be a balancing act trying to manage both extra-curriculars and homework. So, each week block off some time in your busy schedule for self-care. Mark it down on your calendar or put a reminder in your phone — that way you can commit to it!

Remember that everything is best in moderation. The trifecta for school success: work hard, have fun & protect your mental health.

Your brain can only handle so much information while studying, so make sure to take breaks! Practice studying for 30 minutes to an hour at a time, then taking a 10 minute break.

Don’t let yourself skip classes. Once you start it can be easy to make a habit of it.

Seeing all of the snapchats but not at the party? Trust us, you’re not missing out. Take a break from social media and do something that you enjoy! There’s more to life than being at the party.

It’s tough being in the middle of friend drama. Try to remove yourself from the situation and redirect your focus while things settle down. Is there a friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with? Or an assignment you’re needing to start?

Need to get away from the stress of school? Take a walk in nature. Or try out a yoga or exercise class on campus — they’re usually low in cost or even free!

Journal before bed or when you get up in the morning! Write down what’s been on your mind and stressing you out. Practice gratitude by jotting down who and what you are grateful for.

Make a note of anything positive that happens to you throughout the day. In tough moments, look at the list for a pick-me-up.

Recognize your negative thought processes and try to shift them into positives. Accept that it’ll likely take time and practice.

Recharge after a long day by taking a nap! To help you feel refreshed, keep it under 30 minutes!

Acknowledge when you need to take it easy and spend some time alone. Don’t be afraid to let your people know you need ‘you time’.

Sometimes we just need someone to listen when we’re going through a difficult time. Reach out to a trusted friend or adult to talk. People are here for you, they care and they want to help.

Blast music that makes you happy and dance your heart out. It may seem strange, but it can help to boost your spirits or allow you to shake things off! Discover a new band, download their stuff, and make a studying playlist, or build your own feel-good playlist!

Blast music that makes you happy and dance your heart out. It may seem strange but it can help to boost your spirits or allow you to shake things off!

Get creative when you’re needing some self-care — write a poem, paint, do a puzzle, make a pinterest inspired dorm room decoration.

Self-care isn’t glamorous, nor is it selfish. Be practical: hop in the shower, brush your teeth, do the laundry you’ve been meaning to do. Clean your room if it’s messy. It may not be fun, but it can be hard to focus in a dirty room.

Get out in the community and volunteer! Giving back can be a very rewarding and uplifting experience!

Relationship problems can interfere with your success in school and lead to more stress. Try to find ways to make clear boundaries with the person you are having the problems with so you can still focus on school.

Getting a part-time job can help with your finances and help you learn new skills. There are a lot of job fairs or employment services that can help you with your resume and interview skills.

Begin the year by setting some goals for yourself. It can help you to stay motivated and push you to work hard. Take some time to see if your goals/priorities have shifted over the month. Hindsight is 20/20.

Explore the internet and local library for the information and tools to help you succeed, whatever your goal is.

Don’t let your fear of failure stop you from learning and creating. Grow from your mistakes and keep going.

Remember, it’s okay not to be the best, you are awesome at a combination of things totally unique to you!

There’s a saying, ‘grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…’ Live by that today.

‘Promise me you’ll always remember you’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.’

Sometimes all you can accomplish in a day is getting out of bed in the morning. That’s okay. Take it one moment, one hour and one day at a time.

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About Mental Health and Wellness

This section provides facts and information about mental illnesses and includes practical wellness tips that you can easily incorporate into your daily life to support your overall well-being.