Transitioning back to a new school year

Everyone out of the pool!

Transitioning back to a new school year can be harsh after an amazing summer.

Unfortunately, the summer months are quickly slipping away.  Before we know it, students everywhere will say goodbye to the long, lazy days of summer, and hello to a hectic schedule.  Yes, it’s once again time to turn our attention to a new school year. It can be a harsh transition, especially if you’ve spent the summer months mastering new relaxation techniques. 

If you are a parent, you can help your student prepare with a few tips and reminders making their journey back to a routine a little less painful. 

Here are a few things you or your student can do right now:

1. Reset.

For most, the summertime follows a more relaxed schedule, which can mean that both bed times and wake times come increasingly later and become irregular.   Since getting enough sleep and maintaining a consistent routine are keys to success for students, don’t wait until the day before your first class.  Slowly ease your way into a stricter routine by starting several weeks before your first day.  Slowly move bedtimes and wake-up times back to what they should be during the school year.  If meal times or other routines have changed over the summer vacation, reset those as well.

2. Plan.

College students should plan and map out their schedule for the next semester.  It’s also a good idea to be proactive and block out appropriate times for other essentials, such as studying, exercise and even down time.  It may seem extreme to plan your entire semester in advance, but sometimes detailing a course of action, even if you don’t stick to it 100% can be helpful.  In planning, think objectively about the average amount of time needed for anything that’s a priority.  It’s also a great way to manage your timetable, according to your own unique goals.

3.  Map.

Even if you’re not new to campus, chances are your classes are in different locations than last year.  It might be a good idea to look at your schedule and plot out in advance how you’ll get from one place to the next (and how much time that will take). 

4.  Organize.

Don’t have a work-space?  Time to get one set-up.  Make sure it’s a quiet location, free from distractions.

• Stock up on the supplies you need, including any organization accessories like file folders or desk trays.
• New Computer? You might want to get it configured prior to the first day of school, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.

5.  Goals.

Setting goals (and sticking with them) at the beginning of the school year is an important skill students of all ages can learn. Instead of vague goals like, “get good grades,” try using the SMART goals strategy;  Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely.  SMART goals are a great way to take our objectives and break them down into something we can control.

6.  Visualize.

It’s true that school is soon to be back in session, but that doesn’t mean that you have to forget about the big picture, or all the other important aspects of your life, including your health, family and friends.  You can manage all these important aspects and make each one of them an equal part of your life.  Achieving this balance can be tough, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Coaching through the Ulliance Student Assistance Program can help you to integrate and manage everything that’s important in your world.

7.  Bust Stress.

Adjusting back into a busy routine is a challenge that can catch students off guard.  It’s easy to become quickly overwhelmed, which can lead to anxiety and even depression.  Remember, you are not alone.  A recent college health assessment found as high as 56.9% of students reported feeling overwhelming anxiety sometimes.  Don’t forget to use the resources available to you.  Ulliance has confidential, free counseling by licensed, masters level professionals.

Many companies turn to Ulliance experts for support in creating effective Employee Assistance Programs to support employee mental health. Ulliance offers programs designed to enhance the ability of your employees to balance their personal life with their work life, improving your business’ productivity in the process. How can we help you? Visit www.ulliance.com, or call 866-648-8326.

Well-being Programs are a great way to deal with stress.