ready, set, succeed: starting the school year with confidence

Hello, my study friends,

As the school year draws nearer, I felt it was important to write my first post about how to kick off the new academic year like an absolute boss! We all know that the prospect of going back to school and facing new challenges can be a tad nerve-wracking. Ah, those sleepless nights before the first day of school—been there, done that! But fear not, for I'm here to guide you through it all.

Here are my top ten ways to conquer the first day of school: 

1: Organize your study space

- If your environment is a mess, then your mind is a mess.  Take the opportunity to go through any old papers you have lying around, organize them, and recycle the ones you don't need anymore. 

- Clean out the backpack you've been neglecting all summer and rid it of any worn-out notebooks, pencil shavings or crumpled index cards!

- Let's tackle that work desk! Spray down the surface, tidy up those drawers, and bid farewell to the markers that have seen better days. Another thing about having a neat desk is trying to achieve as much white space as possible. Not only is pleasing to the eye, but it makes you feel much more organized and productive. Plus, you will have plenty of space for your computer and notebooks. 

2: Equip your tool belt with useful academic resources

- You don't want to head into the new school year without a landing pad to fall back on, once the assignments start rolling in you should feel like you're in control.

- Therefore, cultivating a nice collection of academic tools to help you study, write, and complete assignments is absolutely necessary. 

- To help with this, I have created an "Academic Resources" page that you can access to find the tools that work for you! Be sure to check it out! 

3: Associate productivity with sound and smell

- Our brain works in mysterious ways. It tends to associate feelings with sounds, smells, and textures. The scent of a freshly baked apple pie might remind you of a night at your grandmother's house or the smell of damp earth might remind you of the time you got caught in a rainstorm on the way home from school. 

- So, why not use this unique feature to our advantage? Why not associate productivity with sound and smells?

- Every time you perform a productive activity such as writing, cleaning or simply reading a book; put on a calming playlist or light your favourite candle. Once the school year starts and you start studying again, the sound of the playlist and the smell of the candle will take you back to a state of productivity and focus. 

4: Plan a hangout with your friends

- I know one of the primary reasons why I dread going back to school is the idea of seeing all my classmates again. Don't get me wrong, I look forward to it, but sometimes I get this looming feeling of anxiety. How much have they changed over the summer? What if they are completely different people? 

- To ease the transition back to school, plan a hangout with some of your classmates or friends. Talk about what you have done over the summer or your thoughts about the start of the school year. Doing this will remind you that you have a support group at school when you do return!

5: Practice waking up early

- Yes, I know, I am speaking for literally every single parent when I say this. But in all seriousness, try to develop a normal sleep schedule during the last few weeks of summer break! 

- You don't have to do it all at once. Try going to bed an hour earlier than you usually do and set an alarm for when you want to wake up. Continue doing this one hour at a time until you're going to bed at 23.00 latest. 

6: Make an outline of your plans and goals

- It's a good idea to start off the academic year with a sense of determination and purpose. 

- Taking the time to reflect is very important because that is the only way you'll get to know yourself. Think about your strengths and weaknesses; what do you want to work on? What are you already good at? What do you want to get out of this school year? 

- Write your thoughts down on paper to really engrain them into your head. Just list a couple of short-term and long-term goals you have whether they are personal, academic or even physical. Trust me, one day you'll look back on these notes and see how far you've come.

7: Develop your own anti-stress strategies

- As you embark on your academic journey, a clear goal in your mind can be a powerful source of motivation and unwavering perseverance. However, experiencing school-related stress is almost inevitable no matter how on top of your work you are.

- Find an activity that makes you feel better about your problems, or at least takes some of that stress away. Go to the library, watch a TV show, go on a hike/walk, play an instrument, or try out a new recipe. I personally enjoy taking walks or just sitting on the floor because it reminds me of how big the world is, how I'm only a speck of dust in this ever-expanding universe. It sounds depressing, I know, but I like the idea of being small. 

8: Map out a route to your new school

- This is for those of you who are starting a new school this term! You obviously don't want to get lost on your first day or be late for your class.

- Take a day when you are free and practice walking, biking or taking the bus/train/car/private jet to school. If you are taking any form of public transportation, check the early morning schedule and find a time that suits you and guarantees that you make it to school on time. Also, be sure to have a card/ticket in a safe place that is easily accessible. 

- It is also important to check the weather and keep track of how the weather changes over the course of the year and how that will affect your route to school. Will snowfall delay your train? Will rain make it more difficult to bike? Dress accordingly and make sure you have an umbrella, raincoat, and scarf in your bag during the rainy season and winter months. 

9: Get school supplies

- I know in some countries like mine, schools usually provide school supplies for you. However, if your school doesn't do that, start getting school supplies as soon as possible! Now, school supplies are very subjective depending on what you're studying, what school you go to, and your personal study preference. 

- A safe bet, if you're unsure of what to get, is some notebooks, highlighters, glue, tape, pencils, binders + dividers, a calculator (the type of calculator you get is entirely up to your budget and needs), flashcards, rulers, post-its, and coloured pencils. Again, it's up to you to decide what to buy, and if your school provides you with a school supply list then it is best to follow it! 

- Buying school supplies doesn't have to be expensive! Ask your family members or neighbours if they have any extra office supplies lying around. If they don't then I'd recommend buying some from a second-hand store, they are usually functional and inexpensive. 

10: Prepare a schedule for the upcoming semester

- Get an early start and invest in a school planner or calendar.

- I personally have a mobile app called School Planner that I absolutely adore. You can add your class schedule, keep track of assignments/exams, and add any holidays/breaks if you have them. 

- Go to your school's website if they have one and check their calendar for any special events or days off that might be good to write down in a calendar of your own. 

These are all of my tips for acing that first day of school! Don't be worried, everyone is equally nervous and anxious on this day. Try your best to adequately prepare yourself and feel your absolute best. 

You got this!

Omi ヾ(•ω•`)o