The saying “time flies when you’re having fun” seems to be most accurate during the summer—it’s already August and time to get back into your family’s school year routine. For many students and parents/guardians, the next few weeks can be a rather chaotic time, but there are several ways that you can help minimize potential stress and ensure a smooth transition as we head back to school.
Have a plan in place + establish routines
There can be many anxieties at the beginning of a new school year and feelings can often cause stress, as well. Before the first day of school, be sure to spend time talking with your family about what the new year will look like, including wake-up time, preparing clothes and backpacks the night before, whether you’ll be taking lunch from home or getting it at school, how you will be getting to and from school or extracurricular activities, and even what the after-school and homework routines will be. By being more prepared and answering any questions before the year begins, you will help put yourself more at ease at the same time.
Prioritize sleep
Sudden changes in sleep schedules can significantly impact a person’s equilibrium and shift his or her mood and behavior quite drastically. This is especially true for children and adolescents, but a lack of sleep can highly affect adults, as well. It’s important to ensure that you get enough sleep each night. For adults, it’s recommended to sleep for at least 7 to 9 hours, while teenagers need at least 8 to 10 hours and younger school-aged kids need anywhere from 9 to 12 hours.
Make time for fun activities + relaxation
A new school year brings a variety of changes and feelings alike and it can be rather overwhelming. Instead of focusing on school/work and technology (phone, television, or computer screens), families can engage in enjoyable activities together or on their own, whether that means through exercise, games, playing outside, taking part in self-care activities, or a number of other options for relaxation. What’s important is that you are able to pause and rest physically and mentally not only to relieve stress but also to feel refreshed and ready to accomplish goals ahead.
Have realistic expectations
Every person is unique and success looks different for everyone. As a young adult, you will make mistakes at times, and to be honest, your parents/guardians will too. Rather than always focusing on outcomes, you can applaud yourself for your efforts and also give yourself some grace when things don’t go as you planned or hoped.
Create a positive environment at home
Even though teachers aim to foster positive and uplifting atmospheres for their students, at the beginning of the school year, you can still develop feelings of insecurity and anxiety. But by being positive and creating an environment in which you feel prepared, you can help increase your confidence levels and reduce stress.
At Downey Unified School District, we seek to help our students and families so that everyone has the highest opportunities for success. We are thrilled to have you as part of our Downey Unified family and we look forward to an incredible year ahead.