How to Prepare For The First Day of School

Co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA

Last Updated: November 17, 2022 References Approved

Nighttime Prep

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First Day Tips

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Summer Prep

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Remote Learning Tips

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

The first day of school can help set the tone for the whole year and it’s totally normal to feel some nervous jitters. But don’t worry! There are some things you can do to prepare and make your first day go by without a hitch. If your new year involves some remote learning, or if it’s entirely virtual, it’s okay to feel a little anxious about it. But even if you’re learning from home, there’s plenty you can do to help your first day go more smoothly.

For more help on starting school during the COVID-19 pandemic, check out Prepare for the First Day of School During a Pandemic.

For more help on remote learning in general, try Prepare for the First Day of School As a Remote Learner.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Nighttime Prep

1
Lay out your clothes and school supplies so they’re ready to go. Spend some time picking out an outfit that you like, or gather your school uniform and lay it out beside your bed so you can quickly get dressed and don’t have to scramble to find clothes. Choose clothes that make you feel confident and make sure they’re clean. Pack your school supplies into your backpack so you can grab it and go.^{[1]
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- If you have to wear a school uniform, use accessories to add your own style to your look. Jewelry like necklaces or bracelets can really brighten up your uniform. Just make sure it’s not against the rules.
- Be sure to follow your school's dress code, even if you don't have uniforms. You don't want to get in trouble on your first day!
2
Figure out how you’re getting to school tomorrow. Decide if you’re going to be taking the school bus, if a friend or their parent is going to pick you up, or if your parents are going to drop you off so you can organize. Don’t wait until the last minute to organize your ride!^{[2]
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- If you live close enough, you may be able to walk or ride a bicycle to school.
- Riding the bus allows you to talk to other students and make some friends.
- You could also join a carpool so you can ride to school with your friends.
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3
Set 2 alarms 10 minutes apart so you’re sure to wake up. Give yourself plenty of time to get up and get yourself ready for your first day by setting an alarm for about an hour before you need to get to school. Set 2 alarms on your clock or phone so you don’t sleep through or snooze the first one and wake up late.^{[3]
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- Choose alarms that are loud and will definitely wake you up.
- Try placing your alarm across the room so you have to get up to turn it off, which can help keep you from falling back asleep.
4
Unwind for 30 minutes before bed and try to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Put away your phone and turn off your TV about half an hour to help your mind calm down, especially if you’re feeling nervous. Try listening to some quiet music or reading a book to relax. Go to bed early enough to give yourself a full night’s rest so you wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day.^{[4]
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- If you’ve been staying up late all summer, try going to bed earlier during the week before school starts to reset your sleep schedule.
- Read a book if you’re having trouble falling asleep. You’ll start to naturally feel tired.
5
Talk to your parents or a friend if you’re feeling nervous. It’s totally normal to feel a little anxious or nervous about a new school year. Try talking to somebody you trust, like a close friend or a family member. Tell them about how you’re feeling. They may be able to reassure you, and you may feel better just by talking about your feelings.^{[5]
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- You don’t have to bottle up your feelings. If you’re nervous, talk to somebody about it. If it’s a friend, chances are they’re nervous too!
- Your parents can remind you about other times you were worried but ended up doing a great job. For instance, maybe you were super anxious before school a few years ago. But you did great, right?

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

First Day Tips

1
Eat a nutritious and filling breakfast to fuel up. Start your day off right by eating a healthy breakfast that will fill you up until lunchtime. Eat a balanced breakfast that has some protein and carbs to give you fuel, like eggs and toast or a nice bowl of cereal with milk. Snack on some fruit and veggies as well.^{[6]
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- Don’t stuff yourself or you could feel sluggish and groggy.
- If you feel too nervous to eat, try to at least get some toast or a piece of fruit so you’ve got something to help you make it until lunch.
EXPERT TIP

Ashley Pritchard, MA
School Counselor
Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine.

Ashley Pritchard, MA
School Counselor

Our Expert Agrees: Some of the best ways you can prepare are getting enough sleep, getting up early, and eating a full breakfast. Being prepared helps so that you're not anxious and you don't feel overwhelmed.
2
Arrive at school 15 minutes early to find your classes. Get to school ahead of time so you won’t be nervous about being late or finding your classes. Meet up with friends and find out if you have any classes together. Find out where your first class is located so you know exactly where you need to go.
- Knowing where you need to go and where everything is may help you feel less anxious about the first day.
- If you ride the bus to school, you’ll usually arrive a few minutes before classes start, giving you plenty of time to catch up with friends and scope out your classes.
3
Introduce yourself to your teachers to start off on the right foot. When you arrive to your classroom, go talk to your teacher. Tell them your name and what you’re excited about for their class. You’ll make a good impression and your teacher is much more likely to remember you if you need assistance in the future.
- For example, if you love military history, tell your history teacher that you’re looking forward to learning about some of it in their class.
- Building a strong relationship with a teacher can be a game changer if you need that extra boost with your grade at the end of the year.
4
Pay attention and try to participate in your classes. Ask questions if you’re unsure about something and raise your hand if you know the answer to a question that your teacher asks. The first day of school usually doesn’t involve a lot of classwork or lectures, but if there are, take notes so you can review them later. If your teacher asks for a volunteer, don’t be afraid to go for it! But, if you’re nervous, it’s okay to lay low, take notes, and answer questions only when your teacher asks you.^{[7]
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- If you’re more of an introvert, no worries. You don’t have to be the class clown or the most popular person in the room to be a good student.
5
Talk to your friends and classmates about your summer. School is a great place to meet up with old friends and make new ones. Meet up with old friends that you already know and talk about what you did over the summer. Introduce yourself to new people that you meet in your classes or in the hallways to make new friends. Talking with friends can help calm any jitters or nerves that you have about your first day.^{[8]
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- If you have social anxiety, being extra brave on your first day and making friends is a good way to help break out of your shyness. You'll soon find the vast majority of the people around you are potential friends you haven't bothered talking to yet!
6
Try to enjoy yourself on your first day. While there’s a lot coming at you on your first day, usually your teachers won’t assign major homework and you’ll spend most of the time learning about your new classes and figuring out your schedule. Use the opportunity to relax and settle into what will be your new routine for the school year. Enjoy catching up with friends and eating lunch. Make the best of your new school year and enjoy yourself!^{[9]
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- You’re surrounding yourself with people you'll be spending much of the next year with, and there's no reason why you shouldn't have fun spending time with them.
- Try to overcome the anxieties you're feeling, and remember to wear your best smile throughout the day.
7
Relax and unwind when you get home at the end of the day. Take some time to relax whenever you get home from school so you don’t feel overwhelmed from your first day. Play some games, grab a snack, lounge on the couch, or watch some TV to unwind.^{[10]
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- Be sure to set aside a little bit of time if you have any homework you need to knock out.
- Ask a friend you met earlier that day to hang out and do something together.
- There's nothing like finally coming home after your first day at school. Enjoy it!
- Your first day will feel strangely long compared to other days, largely because of how many different things and people you'll have been exposed to at once. Make sure to treat yourself.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Summer Prep

1
Look up clubs and sports teams you want to join. School clubs tend to start early in the year, so it's a good idea to look at what clubs and sports your school offers. Check out their website and ask around to see if there are any that you’re interested in joining so you can sign up when school starts.
- You could also check out the school’s bulletin board or call the main office to learn more about clubs and sports teams.
- Do you love music? Join the school choir or guitar club. Do you love the cinema of Akira Kurosawa and Lars von Trier? The school's film club might be perfect for you.
- Clubs are a great way to nurture interests you already have, and a perfect outlet to meet people operating on a similar wavelength.
- If you're really interested in something and there isn't already a club for it, start a school club yourself!
2
Knock out any assigned reading over the summer in chunks. If any of your teachers assign summer reading, don’t wait until the last minute— or worse, avoid reading it altogether. Try to knock it out in chunks throughout the summer so you’re finished and prepared for any assignments by the time school starts. Set yourself a daily minimum of pages to read so the books are finished before school starts.^{[11]
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- For example, you can count the number of pages in the books and divide the total number of pages by the days until school starts and use that number as your daily minimum that you need to read.
- Summer reading doesn’t have to mess up or ruin your summer. Try reading a chapter or so every 2-3 days so you never feel overloaded.
3
Spend time with friends from school to make your first day easier. Hang out with friends that go to your school so your first day won’t be so nerve-wracking. You’ll be able to look for them on the first day, which can really help with any nervousness or anxieties that you have. Spend some time having fun together during your summer break.^{[12]
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- If you can’t physically hang out with your friends, try calling or video chatting with them. You could even play video games together to stay in touch.
- Keep up with your friends on social media so you know how they’re doing and how their summer break is going.
4
Get all of your school supplies so you have everything you need. Look through your school supply lists and gather everything on it so you don’t have to scramble at the last minute. Choose folders, pens, and binders that you like and reflect your personality so you’re excited to use them at school.^{[13]
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- Get yourself a planner you can use to keep track of important dates and homework assignments.
5
Pick out a cool and comfortable backpack for the new school year. Look for a backpack with a color and design that you like. Make sure it’s big enough to hold all of your books and has lots of extra compartments for your school supplies. Try on a few backpacks to see how they fit and choose one with padded straps so it’s comfortable when it’s loaded up will of your school books and supplies.^{[14]
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- Check out the backpacks at your local school supply store or department store and try on a few to see how they feel.
- You can also order backpacks online, but you won’t be able to try them on before you order them.
- Remember that you have to lug your backpack around every day, so it needs to be both stylish and comfortable.
6
Clean your room so it’s organized for the school year. It’s always nice to come back home to a clean and organized room, so spend some time tidying up before school starts so you can relax and de-stress after your first day. Clear off your desk, put your clothes away, and run a vacuum over your carpet. You’ll also have an organized space to help you study during the school year.^{[15]
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- You might be surprised by how much clutter and junk you’ve accumulated during your summer break.
- Spray some air freshener so it smells nice as well.
- If you’re stressed or nervous, cleaning your room can help release some of your anxiety.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Remote Learning Tips

1
Set up a learning station in your home for your remote classes. Find a nice, quiet area in your home where you can focus. Set up a desk and organize all of your school supplies and equipment such as computers so you’re able to use the space for your remote learning.^{[16]
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- For instance, you could use your kitchen table or a desk in your bedroom as your learning station.
- Try to remove as many distractions as possible so you can focus on learning.
- Keep the area clean and clutter-free so it’s dedicated to learning.
2
Get dressed for each school day like you’re going to school. Go through a normal morning routine like showering, brushing your teeth, and eating a tasty breakfast. Change out of your pajamas and put on a nice outfit to help focus your mind on the school day and make it easier for you to concentrate in your classes.^{[17]
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- Getting dressed like you’re going to school can tell your brain and body that it’s time to work, which can help you feel more motivated.
- Besides, you want to look neat and professional, especially if you’re participating in a video chat with your teacher and classmates.
3
Review your school’s e-learning system and schedule. If your school uses a learning management system (LMS) for virtual learning, spend some time navigating it and figuring out where things are. Look over the schedule and setup for your classes so you can organize your day, which can help you deal with any stress or anxiety you feel about school.^{[18]
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- Many LMS programs have tutorials that explain how to use it. Check them out so you’re a pro.
- Follow any directions your teachers give you about your remote learning.
4
Use a planner to help keep yourself organized. Pick out a cool planner that you like and write down when your assignments and tests are due in it. Take a look at the planner everyday to get an idea of what you’ll be doing and to make sure you’re staying on top of everything in your classes. Anytime an assignment changes or a new one is added to your schedule, write it down in your planner.^{[19]
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- Planners come in a variety of layouts and designs, so you can choose a cool one that you actually like and want to use!
- You can find planners at your local office supply store or department store. You can also order them online.
5
Participate in your online classes and assignments. Whether you’re using an LMS, following instructions from your teacher, or participating in a video conference with your teacher and classmates, try to participate as much as possible. Follow along, ask questions, and volunteer to answer questions from your teacher so you’re learning as much as you can, which can help if you’re worried about your grades or future tests.^{[20]
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- Remote learning may seem scary or overwhelming if it’s new to you, but don’t worry! If you participate as much as you can, pay attention, and ask your teacher for help when you’re lost, you’ll do great.
6
Complete the assigned work and ask questions if you have them. Your teacher will give you homework and assignments for you to complete as part of your remote learning. Work to complete them on time so you’re keeping up with the coursework and you never feel overwhelmed. If you’re unsure about something, ask your teacher for help or clarification.^{[21]
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- For many teachers and students, remote learning is new, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re lost!
7
Take a short break every hour or so to help you focus. Give your mind a break by standing up and walking around for 5 minutes or so every hour. Grab a sip of water and stretch to increase circulation. After your break, you may feel energized and focused enough to get back to work.^{[22]
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- Remember that because you don’t have the usual classroom breaks and lunch period of in-person school, you need to allow yourself time to take breaks and have snacks so you’re able to stay focused.
8
Reach out to your teachers if you’re struggling. If you’re confused about something or you’re having difficulty accessing a resource, send your teacher a message either through your LMS or by email. Explain your problem in detail, including anything you’ve already tried to fix it.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
- Better to be safe and ask if you’re unsure about something so you don’t waste time or do something incorrectly.

Community Q&A

Question

What are the best but easy hairstyles for girls?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

If you have longer hair, a ponytail is always a super simple hairstyle you can use. You could also double up your ponytail into a bun. Make the bun messy for a casual look or keep it tidy for a more polished style. Another simple option is to braid your hair so it's contained and you don't really have to style it.
Question

How many days should I be wearing a T-shirt before wearing a cleaner one?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

If you're active or you sweat in your shirt, you should change it every day so you don't smell. But if your shirt really isn't dirty, you can definitely get away with wearing it for 2-3 days, especially if it's a uniform shirt so nobody can tell you're wearing the same T-shirt.
Question

I didn’t have a good experience on my last first day of school, so I’m really worried about this years. Is there anything I can do to deal with nerves?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Absolutely. It sucks that your last experience wasn't fun, but you can definitely make this next one better. Try organizing all of your stuff and picking out your outfit the night before so you don't have to scramble in the morning. Set your alarm for an hour or so before you need to be at school so you have time to shower, eat breakfast, and do your hair and makeup (if you wear makeup). Remember that your first day is usually mostly about meeting your teachers and learning about your classes, so don't stress about having to do lots of schoolwork. It'll be over before you know it and you can chill out at home when you're finished.

Warnings

If you’re worried about a bully or you feel threatened, talk to your parents or a guidance counselor at school. You don’t deserve to be mistreated, so reach out for help if you need to.^{[23]
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