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Back To School: How To Survive Your First Week

Sunday, August 11, 2013 | 11:32 AM

Returning to school after 4 weeks of winter break (in Aussie) or 2.5-3 months of holiday (in Singapore) can prove to be immensely difficult. Especially since the drive to study has been long lost after the last exam the previous semester.

So here's a How To Survive Your First Week Back At School guide!

1. Get enough rest the night before

It's tempting to celebrate 'the end of holidays' or 'the start of school', I know. Go ahead and do it, but I'd suggest partying on a Saturday night. So that you can have enough rest on Sunday and regulate your body clock for Monday morning.

2. Pack your bag, plan your wardrobe, etc. the night before

So that you don't have to wake up freaking out over what to wear, whether you should curl your hair, and where your pencil case is. Plan, execute without hesitation, and you'll be ready for school in no time!

3. Set as many alarms as you need.

I use just one, but I know of friends who go up to 8. The alarm will start ringing an hour earlier then they intend to wake up, and they will simply keep slamming on the snooze button every 10 minutes. Only in college have I ever seen people who need running alarm clocks, Lark silent vibrating alarm clock, and having to solve maths sums to turn off their alarm. Do whatever it takes to end your affair with your bed.

4. Have a nice breakfast

I don't have breakfast regularly throughout the semester, but I find that having breakfast makes me less irritable (i.e. less grumpy-looking and more approachable) and more focused. Try this if you haven't before, it makes a huge difference!

5. Arrive ~10 minutes before your first class

So that you'll have enough time to search for your classroom or visit the washroom. It's always better to be there early and make friends with that one other classmate, than be late and make a clumsy entrance into the classroom with everyone staring at you.

6. Pay attention

Because you'd wanna know how to contact your tutor when shit happens, or when all the huge assignments are due, or where that cute exchange student is from. ;)

7. Ask for help

Don't be afraid to approach a stranger to ask where room 248 is (you might find a classmate), or to ask your lecturer 'silly questions' about that unit. You'd rather be informed than be lost.

8. Be friendly

Having friends makes lessons feel like they're much shorter than they really are. It also makes group work so much more enjoyable when you have a few mates you are comfortable working with.

9. Do all your readings and assignments

Because you don't want your tutor to have a bad impression of you. First impressions are important, you don't want your GPA down the drain just because of that one reading you left out the first week of school.

10. Get keen

Having a positive attitude and being truly excited for school can make returning to school a better experience. Find a good studying routine for yourself, and stick to it. You will see results if you're consistently putting in effort into your studies.

Whether you're in primary, secondary, or tertiary education, I hope this guide will be helpful in some way. May everyone have a great week back at school!