The Sunday Mail (Zimbabwe)

How to cope with a new school term

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STARTING a new school term can be overwhelmi­ng, but there are ways to make the transition smoother.

Here are some tips to help you cope with a new school term:

Plan ahead: Pre-plan the first day back early, so you do not forget anything. There are lots of minor tasks that you can get out of the way during the holidays to make the first few days back at school a little bit easier.

There are the practical things, like putting out your clothes the night before, finding your locker key, packing your bag and making sure you have something delicious for lunch, to avoid the last-minute dash for a corner shop sandwich on the way in.

There will inevitably be things that have gone missing or been forgotten over the holidays, and these can be a major source of firstday-back stress, so try to cut down on that by sorting out as many of those things as possible a couple of days in advance.

Aside from the practical things, you can also plan ahead emotionall­y — if you already know that there is a particular teacher who likes to wake you up by covering something difficult on the first day back, then think about what you can do to make that easier for yourself, such as taking extra time to read over your notes from that subject before you go back.

Or it might be that chatting on the phone to a friend the night before you go back helps to calm

any nerves you might be feeling. Think about the year

ahead: Work out when the stressful periods are going to be so you know what to expect.

When you are thinking about things with a stressed mentality, it is easy to end up collapsing the time you have available.

But even if exams are at the end of this term, you are only just starting back; it might feel like they are just over the horizon.

In reality, you have still got a long way to go before you get there, and plenty of time to get ready. Do not procrastin­ate: It is easy to put off work until the last minute, but this can lead to stress and anxiety. Instead, try to break down your work into smaller, more manageable tasks. This will help you stay on top of things and avoid feeling overwhelme­d. Stay organised: Keep track of your assignment­s, deadlines, and schedules. Use a planner or calendar to help you stay on top of things. This will help you avoid last-minute cramming and reduce stress. Take care of yourself:

Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly.

Remember, it is normal to feel nervous or stressed when starting a new school term. But with a little planning and preparatio­n, you can make the transition smoother and less stressful. Good luck! — oxfordroya­le.com

 ?? ?? Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Dr Torerayi Moyo interacts with learners
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Dr Torerayi Moyo interacts with learners
 ?? ?? Learners journey back to boarding school
Learners journey back to boarding school
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