So, the first half of this term didn’t quite go to plan?
Fear not guys – it’s never too late to turn it around! For people who have experienced bullying, the first day back can be overwhelming and for those who want to change things up a bit – it’s hard to know where to start! Whether you want a full on U-turn or just a swerve in a new direction – with these 10 tips for making a fresh start at school, we’ve got you covered.
1. You are enough
First things first is to believe that you are enough. Never, ever tell yourself that you aren’t good enough and don’t let anyone else tell you that either! When you rock up to those gates on a Monday morning, take a deep breath and tell yourself that you are amazing. You got this.
2. No one is perfect
You can’t be the best at everything, the sooner you realise this the better. If you play to your strengths you’ll feel more fulfilled and are bound to see real progress. That’s not to say you should try your hardest to succeed in every aspect of your school life, just understand that some people suck at math, but can paint the most beautiful picture. Similarly, some people can run 10k no problem, others kick ass in Biology – You are not expected to do all these things at once!
3. Focus on you
As hard as it may seem, don’t compare yourself to other people. What he’s wearing, what music they listen to and how many followers she has does not matter in the grand scheme of things. Trust us on this one.
4. Positivity is key
There is no denying the power of positivity. Ahead of you is a world of firsts, especially if you’re starting a new school. Get stuck in with new opportunities and try to see any set backs as life simply going in a new direction.
5. Try new things
This is the very best way to meet new people and really find your feet in school. Try out for the sports teams, even if you’re not great at sports! Audition for the Drama society even if you’re shy. Learn a new language or skill – try not to let the unknown hold you back. If you don’t like it, that’s fine – at least you gave it a try! There are endless new opportunities at school, make the most of them!
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6. Deal with stress in healthy ways
It’s perfectly normal to get stressed at school. There are so many things going on at once; lessons, homework, projects, extra curricular stuff, mates… the list goes on. It’s really important that you give yourself a break from time to time. Stress affects people in many different ways and creeps up on us when we least expect it. Don’t let it get the better of you, read this for 101 ways to chill!
7. Meet new people
If you’re in the business of turning things around and making a fresh start – try meeting new people. Sometimes, we are influenced the most by those around us, even if we’re not aware of it. Try hanging out with someone you wouldn’t usually talk to, or join a team to meet new people. You’ll probably be surprised how much fun you have getting to know people and making new friends! Go on, we dare you!
8. Confidence
Understand your insecurities and slowly work on building up your self confidence. If you’ve had a hard time in the past, its perfectly normal to feel anxious or uneasy about starting a new school or going back after summer. Have a read of this for tips to improve your confidence and try to see this year as an opportunity to change things up!
9. Understand that it’s never too late to change
At Ditch the Label, we strongly believe that people who bully are entitled to as much help as those who are bullied. If you’ve given someone a hard time in the past, it’s never to late to turn things around and make a fresh start. The first step is to accept what’s happened in the past and make an effort to move on. Here are some practical things you can do you stop bullying. You are not alone.
10. Be 100% you
The most important thing of all is to be true to yourself. Understand that being liked by the ‘popular kids’ is not the key to success and happiness. You don’t need to pretend to be something that you are not – it gets very tiring, trust us! Don’t hold back, don’t hide away, and most importantly stay weird! If people can’t accept you for you, they’re not worth hanging out with!
If you’re anxious about the future, tell us in community. There are hundreds of people who feel the same, don’t believe us? Try it out for yourself!
