9781422280621

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School Fears

classrooms before school starts. They would be pleased to have you stop by and meet them. It helps them, too! They want you to start off the year on a good note. If you are worried about getting to school on time, talk to your family about what your morning ritual will be. If you know what time your bus comes, you can practice getting up, getting dressed, having breakfast, and so on, to make sure you will have enough time. If you are dropped off at school, ask an adult if he or she can do a few “practice runs” so that you know where you are going and how long it will take. Maybe it would help to plan out in advance what you want to wear. Put all your school supplies into your backpack, so that you can feel confident nothing has been forgotten. Do you have your own alarm clock? (If not, ask for one!) Start setting the alarm and take charge of making sure you get up on time. The point is, don’t just sit and worry—turn your worries into action. This accomplishes two things. First, it’s good to be prepared so that you don’t get lost or forget something important. Second, and more important, the very act of anticipating a problem and taking steps to avoid it will make you feel more confident. One last piece of advice: don’t overlook practical things like having a good breakfast and getting enough sleep. Most kids stay up a lot later during the summer than they do during the school year. It is a

Research Project

Ask adults and friends about what they do to reduce anxiety about starting something new. It doesn’t have to be school. It could be a new job, or moving to a new town. You can also search online for “back- to-school anxiety” and look for more tips. Using those tips and the ones in this chapter, make a pamphlet that gives younger kids advice on how to make the first day easier. Include advice from your own experience, too!