It’s no secret that students pick-up unhealthy habits over summer vacation. We get it! You start to stay up late, sleep in late, and focus on your social life. These aren’t unhealthy habits on their own, but with school just around the corner, they have the potential to turn into them.
So, now, you’re left wondering, “What do I do?!” as you remember your obligation to start waking up early, completing homework assignments, and refocusing your priorities. Well, you don’t have to worry! We’re here to help.
At NSTEMTM, we prioritize student health — whether it be mental, emotional, or physical. In this article, we’ll supply you with the tips and resources you need to prepare yourself for the new school year. Your mission, if you choose to accept, is to utilize these resources for your own well-being.
Ease Back into a Routine
This one is the hardest task to achieve, but it’s also the one with the most pay-off. Summer is a fantastic time to relax, take a break from routines, and to focus on fun. Unfortunately, this could mean altering your diet, sleep schedule, and overall mindset.
- Start centering sleep! Even if you don’t have to wake-up with the sunrise, it’s likely you’ve been going to bed and waking up much later than normal. So, make sure you prepare by adjusting your schedule a few days before. If it’s already too late, start going to bed earlier! Try to unwind with a book instead of some television. The blue light coming from your devices can actually keep you awake at night!
- Embellish your eating! During the summer, you can eat whenever you feel hungry (or whenever you feel like it). But when you go back to school, your lunches will be scheduled into your day. Our #1 tip for this is make sure you eat breakfast! Even if you’re not hungry, eating a bagel can make you feel prepared for the day. If you can, we recommend packing some light snacks — just in case you get hungry before lunch!
- Make mornings manageable! It’s very easy to have lazy mornings when you’re not in school. But once it picks up, you’ll be left completely without a routine! This could lead to late arrivals or missing classes altogether. Slowly get back into your routine by making yourself a checklist. Ideally, you would start this a few days before your classes, but if you can’t, start now!
Gather Your Wits
We know you don’t want summer to be over. Neither do we! Unfortunately, it’s time to get back to school. Help your school year start off right by preparing yourself for anything!
- Study your schedule! Even if you’re familiar with your school, it’s easy to get lost if you don’t know where you’re going. This challenge becomes even more difficult if you don’t even know what classes you have! So, review your schedule, classrooms, and even look at a map if you need a visual refresher. You’ll feel much less stressed at the beginning of your first day!
- Reel in your reading! Typically, you’ll receive a syllabus before your first day. You can utilize this in order to prepare yourself for the workload. You can simply look up the list of materials and subjects you’ll be covering. In doing this, you’ll feel more organized and in-charge of your workload. Nothing can surprise you!
- Organize your obligations! It’s likely that school isn’t your only obligation. Maybe you have sports, clubs, work, or even religious and familial events in addition to your education. Figure out how you’ll balance these this year. This way, you still have the time for the things you enjoy most — which can provide a much-needed stress reliever.
Stay Informed & Stay Safe
While many schools are transitioning back to in-person classes, it’s no secret the Delta Variant is already wreaking havoc. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your school’s COVID-19 precautions for both your physical and mental health.
Furthermore, it’s important that you do your part in keeping yourself, your peers, and your campus safe. Pack extra masks, hand sanitizer, and social distance whenever possible. You can also check to see if your community is hosting any pop-up vaccination clinics, or schedule an appointment through your local pharmacy.
The National STEM Honor Society is with you every step of the way. You can always check out our website for more resources to help you through the school year.
Written by Emily Hyser
August 20, 2021
