It's Back to School Time!

It’s that time again.. back to school. As I’m sitting here, in one of Chicago’s community colleges, I see students signing up for classes, getting prepared for the semester to start. Back to school is not only excited but stressful. Those negative thoughts begin to pop up: What am I in for? What can I expect? Can I handle this? Here are few tips I suggest when preparing for school:

1. You got this!

Starting off the year on the wrong foot can create a spiral of negativity. Don’t start off your semester with the “I can’t.” and the “I don’t want to’s.” and the “Eww, this is going to be awful.” Start of the year by finding at least one thing that is positive about school. Maybe it is seeing friendly faces that you haven’t seen all summer. Or maybe there is that one class that you have been dying to take or that one teacher that you can’t wait to see. Whatever it is, put that thought in the forefront of your mind. Start on the right foot.

2. It’s time for school shopping!!!

Yep, those school commercials are back in full force on TV. My favorites are the ones with kids lining up all their school supplies on the kitchen table in exact organization and spacing. Perhaps one way of decreasing some of your school stress is to go school shopping. Go grab the perfect first day outfit or maybe purchase a new pair of schools. If budget is tight, maybe you could shop for a school supply that is a little out of the ordinary that makes you feel special. Its okay to splurge on that one item if it is going to help reduce your nerves for that first day.

3. Write a note to your future self

I’ve done this with some of my clients in the past. Take out a pieces or paper and write a note to your future self. Talk about how you think this school year will be, how your first day will go, your worries and concerns, and your excitements. Then, seal it in an envelop and write a date on that envelope. This date represents the day you are going to open the letter. I suggest two to three weeks out from your first day. It is such a surprise to read what you thought was going to happen and what actually did happen.

My take away…

School is stressful. For some, it can produce a lot of anxiety while others feel dread. Hit the ground running. Start off on the right foot. Go out and grab your favorite outfit or that out of the box school supply that makes you feel special. And finally, write yourself a note and read it back a few weeks into to school. You will be amazed at how your feel if you put a few small practices into place.


Please feel free to leave your comments below. How do you get ready and prepared for this school year?