As summer begins to wind down, we begin to think about the months ahead and consider the changes we need to make in our lives. For many, this means back to school season and a new semester of classes. After having more flexibility and freedom over the summer, the transition back to school can be difficult, so if you’re struggling to think about the adjustment, follow these steps.
Enjoy the last few minutes of summer break before back to school
Before jumping into preparing for the return to school season, make sure to do an inventory of your summer, remaining tasks or activities you’d like to complete, and find a time to complete these objectives. It will be easier to make the transition into the school year if you’ve felt accomplished, relaxed, and rejuvenated from summer break, and completing the tasks that are important to you will help you get there.
In addition, taking stock now can help you to make a plan for the rest of summer that will influence your transition. Think about how you’d like to maximize the next few weeks before summer ends and you are back to routine. Ask yourself, “What do I need to do now to be successful when school starts”
Start preparing early
Since there are still a few remaining weeks of summer, you have time to set yourself up for success in your transition. This might be the time for you to stock up on school supplies or clothes, to review your class schedule, or do any paperwork that your school may require before school starts. Getting these tasks completed now will help you to feel less rushed in the final days before school starts, giving you extra time to soak up the summer fun.
It might be helpful to you to make lists about necessary tasks or things you need to pick up before school starts and cross a few off each week. You don’t need to commit a lot of time to this each day, but doing a little bit at a time will help you feel more prepared when school starts.
Set a schedule
Now is the time to pull out your calendar and look ahead to important dates, such as the first day of school, days off, and any significant events that are important to you, such as homecoming or school football games. Getting a visual of what your next few weeks or months will look like can help you to plan around those dates in order to prepare for a successful year.
In addition, this is a good time to start to put in important structures into your day, such as a regular sleeping schedule, and start to identify times for studying or working on homework. Going into the school year with a plan of how you will accomplish things will help you feel more settled.
Find ways to make your life easier this school year
If you struggle with time management or just have a very busy life, finding ways to make your life easier can help you get more done in a shorter amount of time. This might look like finding go-to snacks or lunches to make yourself, setting up a homework station, or creating a focus setting that you can put your phone on while studying. Identifying areas that you struggle with, then finding easier solutions can help you to have a smoother transition into the school year and beyond.
About Samantha Nolan, MA, LPC, ATR- Barnum Counseling
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