It’s a brand-new year, hello 2024! Can you feel the buzz of excitement in the air? People are shaking off that December holiday laziness and gearing up for the #NewYearNewMe vibe. Have you noticed everyone talking about their New Year resolutions (yes, yes, we get it, you’re going to start working out)? Maybe you have your own goals for this year, right? A new year means out with 2023 and in with 2024, and of course, that also comes with the start of a new school year.

How do you feel about going back to school? Are you excited about being in a new grade, or are you nervous? If you have nervous butterflies, don’t worry; this is normal. Harvard Medical School published an article where they discuss exactly what you are feeling regarding back-to-school anxiety (Read more here)

Stress around starting school can be caused by lots of things, such as the pressure to meet academic expectations, being in loud, crowded spaces, and even managing being around your friends again! Sometimes, it can all just feel like a lot, and you miss the chilled and easy days of the holiday, but don’t fret. There are ways in which you can turn those nervous butterflies into positive anticipation for the new year.

For Wandile, a 22-year-old student, he has found a cool way to do this – he focuses on what he is excited about instead of what he is afraid of. Wandile is starting a new year of university and remembers how stressful the first year was for him. This year, he plans to make friends, adapt to the new environment and the calibre of people he will compete with academically, try every food on the tuck shop menu, and explore more of the school grounds.

The best thing for Wandile in his last school year was meeting a lovely friend who showed him what love is and how you treat a true friend. Now, he is going to use that feeling and take it with him as he starts his second year. Now, he says he is excited and can’t wait to learn more about his course and get back to his practicals.

And you? What’s your feeling about jumping back to homework, early mornings, friends, and sports? Whatever you feel about the start of school, I’ve got great news for you: you have the power to kick yourself off to a stellar start. Want to know how?

1 – Remind yourself that you’ve got this!
I mean it; you have got this! A new year means an awesome chance to start everything afresh. If you failed some classes last year, it’s over; that is in the past. You no longer have to dwell on what’s already happened but focus on passing in the future. You can do even better this time; you’ve got this!

2 – Plan ahead
Did you know that you can get the CAPS curriculum online, or you can ask your teacher to tell you what will be taught this year? This way, you will know what is coming and watch YouTube on certain subjects or read ahead in a way that’s fun for you. By the time the teacher gets to that subject, you are feeling confident because you are way ahead and acing those tests. Skills Academy suggests that you also review what you learned the year before. They advise that you don’t necessarily have to spend hours going through your work; just read through your notes to refresh your memory. Check out more of their tips on how to prepare for the new year (Check it out here)

3 – Set Goals
Is there something you did not get to accomplish last year? Set it as a goal this year, and write down the exact steps of how you want to accomplish it. For example, if your goal is to get better grades in Science, you need to write down: study one extra hour after school. If your goal is to get into the soccer team, then write: practice soccer every day at lunchtime. Then, every day after school and at lunch, you do what you promised yourself. You will soon see your grades improve and notice that you are in a better position to make the school soccer team.
Wandile’s goals for this school year are to attend all his classes, submit his work on time, and excel in class.

4 – Have Fun!
Honestly, start this school year by doing something you enjoy. Is it chilling with your friends at lunch? Do more of that. Is it cheering on school sports? Go attend more of them. Is it an art class you never make time for? Is it reading in the library while everyone else is playing outside? Whatever makes school fun for you (as long as it’s within school rules, of course), go and do more of that. Like Wandile, make a plan to try out every food and snack that is offered in the school tuck shop, or maybe explore the grounds and find every hidden place.

5 – Get Apped Up
The right tools can go a long way in setting you up to succeed, so why not start the new school year by downloading a few? The tools below will help you manage your new year in the most efficient way possible:
– For a positive boost and habit tracking: 21 days App
– For note taking: Google’s Keep Notes
– For interesting facts/lessons (that will make you more interesting to talk to) – TED Talk app
– For fitness and health – Strava (you can take photos while you run and walk)

With these 5 points, I think you will feel well-kitted to start the new year on a high. There is so much to look forward to this year. School is a wonderful place to shine. Don’t worry about trying to fit in too much; you are perfect just the way you are. If you ever feel small or unseen in the school, I have a fun fact for you: there is a school called City Montessori School in India, which has 60,000 students! Can you imagine? Now that’s a big school. Remember, you can stand out anywhere and be the best version of yourself; the world is ready for YOU!

QUESTION: How are you feeling about the start of the new school year?

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