After a long summer break full of fun and relaxation, one of the most stressful nights for a student is the one before school reopens. Even after you’ve meticulously made sure everything is ready and set ten alarms for the morning, you worry you won’t wake up to any of them.

Then you can’t fall asleep, stressing that something might go wrong.

But that’s okay. You need to remember: as hectic as the first morning may be, it will only get better from there. The nervousness that comes with going back to school is natural, but read on to make your return this summer the smoothest ever.

Get ahead with smart preparation

One of the best ways to avoid last-minute stress is to get your uniform, books and stationery well organised before the school reopens. Doing this in the last week of the holidays will cause unnecessary headaches for you and your parents, as shops will be packed with others doing the same, and stocks might even run out.

It is also important to have all your course books and notebooks labelled with your name and class, and even plastic-coated to keep them in good shape.

Pack your backpack a couple of days in advance for peace of mind and to check if you have everything you need. You not only need the basic pens and pencils, but also things like a ruler, highlighter, compass and calculator, if applicable to your grade. Other backpack essentials include a large water bottle and some money to buy lunch, just in case.

This process becomes easier if you make a checklist of all the items you might need. Having a........

© Dawn Young Magazine