Top tips for dealing with back to school blues
Exclusive new figures from Childline show that the charity have counselled more than 1,000 children in the past year with serious concerns about going back to school or starting a new school.
Common concerns highlighted by the charity are performance pressure, behavioural problems, moving to secondary school and bullying. We spoke to teen blogger Kheira Bey to ask her for her advice on how to deal with the back to school blues...
Meet deadlines... even if they are last minute: Yes, last minute deadlines aren't the most idealist prospect in the world. Butlets face it doing your homework the night before it's due in, instead ofscribbling it out, frantically during your lunch break (the lesson before) isthe better option. Because A) You will actually be able to read through your work before hand and leave time for any mistakes and B) You will be free of any distractions and be able to put your all into your work. Especially if this isa new teacher you have - they won't like you forgetting your homework and neither will your future boss
If you feel your focus fleeing – take a break and attempt something else: Around exam season when you do feel stressed (it's natural) you may feel too tense to actually absorb any knowledge and may work yourself up about it, to a point where you don't want to bother with it any more. There are plenty of moments like this in school and the easiest way is to take a break from the task and focus your energy on something else. Whether this means moving on to a different question/task or trying your homework for a whole different subject. Or even listening to some music to help yourself unwind and feel more relaxed for it
You always have SOMETHING productive to do (even if you don't realise it): If you have a free lesson or have finished a task early- whilst you're in the 'mode' it's easier to get all the work done and out of the way at once. Whether that is finishing all homework, asking for an extension piece, going over previous notes (and ensuring they are readable) or even checking out your subject on BBC Bitesize and renewing your knowledge. And if you're up to date on everything- why not be ambitious and plan your future and research your further educational courses?
Your education is your responsibility: Imagine being in a class room with a delusional, distracted teacher who's away with the fairies - and has no idea what they're meant to be teaching you. I have experienced thismany times- in the most unrealistic situations, like my GCSEs. If you feel you aren't learning enough as you should be; you're in charge of your education, grades and future. You will need to take the initiative and look for yourcourse content (maybe online like BBC Bitesize or hitting up the library andreading up on your subject). You can't blame a rubbish exam grade on ateacher... employers will not tolerate this. Neither will your parents! Mypeers ended up with D's whilst I received an A grade- simply because I bothered to check the exam syllabus online and teach myself with a revision guide
Rewards: If you are becoming a workaholic, balance it up. Reward your progress! This could be anything. Food related, attending an afterschool club you've been dying to try or heading out with your pals. And ifyou're struggling with motivation a personal tip of mine is to use food tomotivate you... a page of notes = a cookie. Only an example, but if you're mean to cookies have it your way.