After a summer of sleeping in or doing things on your time, the alarm bell announcing that first day of school can be a rude awakening. Whether you are anxious about your new school and meeting new friends, heading back to school signals a time of transition: new classes, new teachers, new schedules and a new social scene.

Dread it or love it, you have got to go to school. Here are some ways to make the transition from summer to school a little easier.

First day mania

There’s no escaping the fact that the first day of school can be crazy. New students wander around in circles. Lockers won’t open. The school nurse needs your medical records. You forgot your gym shorts.

How can you combat first-day chaos? If you’re headed to a new school, try to arrange a visit before classes begin. Explore any areas that are of particular interest, such as the gymnasium, library or science labs.

Your first day is also the time to bring in school supplies and paperwork. It can help to pack your backpack the night before school starts so you’re not scrambling around at the last minute looking for what you need. In addition to packing basic supplies (such as notebooks, pens, pencils and a calculator), look for any of the school forms that were mailed to your family over the summer. If you plan to wear a new pair of shoes, break them in a few days beforehand or your feet may scream for relief long before last

period.

Each school has a different opening-day drill. Some start with an assembly, while others may jump right into the first-period class. You’ll meet your new teachers, and they’ll probably give you an overview of the course syllabus, class rules, what supplies you’ll need, and expectations of your performance and behaviour. Some teachers will jump right into their first lesson, while others may spend their first lesson getting to know their students and explaining what is going to be covered before the end of the scholastic year is over. It all depends on the class and teacher.

Emotions

Here’s a simple equation: new place = new emotions.

Lots of people feel anxious, scared or excited about school. It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous on the first day of school. Getting back to the school routine and adjusting to new workloads takes some getting used to after a long summer break. If you are finding it difficult to settle down, think back to some previous “first days”. Everything will settle down pretty quickly once you get into the routine.

Meeting new people or getting reacquainted with classmates can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re the shy or reserved type. Start small: If large groups make you nervous, try saying hello to one or two new people a day. If you still feel uncomfortable after a few days, talk to the school guidance counsellor, a favourite teacher, or someone else you trust about how you’re feeling and what you can do. But give yourself time – most problems adjusting to school are only temporary.

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