Going back to school can be a tough transition. Summer is a time to relax, catch up on sleep, follow your own schedule, and have a bit of fun. When school hits it can be very overwhelming and difficult to make the switch. Below are some tips to help with this transition.
Tip #1: Set Up a Good Routine Waking up early after a long summer of sleeping in can be one of the hardest parts of going back to school. To help with this, it is good to get in a routine of going to bed early and getting a solid 8+ hours of sleep. A good bedtime routine might help and can include turning off electronics an hour before bed, reading a book, or having a light snack. Once you have a bedtime routine established, a morning routine may come a little easier. A morning routine can include eating a good breakfast, walking your dog, or drinking some tea. These routines can help make the transition from summer to the school year a little less difficult.
Tip #2: Continue to Do Things You Enjoy Over the summer you may have learned that you love reading for fun or going on long walks in the evening. If you found something you really enjoyed to do over the summer, continue these activities during the school year. It may be a bit more difficult to fit them in, but prioritizing things that you enjoy can help you feel better and be able to tackle the hard things that the school year brings.
Tip #3: Ask For Help When You Get Overwhelmed With a new schedule, tough classes, and a lot more social interactions, getting overwhelmed is bound to happen. Check in with yourself to see how you are feeling and don't hesitate to reach out to people when this happens. It may be helpful to create a plan before you are in a tough situation of who to reach out to when you get in that situation so you can easily reach out to them when you are overwhelmed. This can include teachers, a couneslor, trusted friends, a tutor, your parents, or your therapist. It is completely normal for this transition to be hard and to experience difficulties, so don't be afraid to reach out for help when you need it.
If you're needing more help to manage the transition back to school, contact us at intake@racheldubrowlcsw.com. We'd be happy to help!