After the holidays or if you are just starting; going to school often seems a little daunting.

You might be excited about seeing people and getting started. But, it’s understandable to be sad that the days of lie-ins are over for a while, and worried about how things are going to go.

No matter what you’re feeling, there are a few tips to help you get back in the right frame of mind and motivated for the new school year.

At the beginning of the school year it’s fairly typical to feel:

• excited – time to see friends again, get new stationery (we know, new pens are a surprisingly exciting thing)
• sad or down – holidays are over
• stressed or anxious
• pressure or expectations from yourself or others
• physically sick, including headaches or migraines
• concerned about work load or exams coming up.

If you’re experiencing these feelings, it’s important to look after yourself. Take time out to do something that you enjoy. Even though you might not feel like it, getting some exercise and eating well can help.

You might also be worried about going back to school because you have been bullied in the past, and are worried it might continue., Being bullied can have a big impact on your self-esteem. You can start feeling isolated, sad and angry. Which you shouldn’t have to. Keep reminding yourself it’s not your fault and you haven’t done anything to deserve it. It can happen to anyone, and it’s almost always because of something going on in the bully’s life. You also need to know that you’ll get through it, and you don’t have to do it alone. Talk to someone about it.

If how you’re feeling is affecting your day-to-day life, it’s a good idea to talk to someone you trust. This could be someone like a friend, school counsellor or family member. Remember you are not alone and it’s quite likely other people are feeling the same as you.

So try to be friendly to others and smile, join in in class and talk to your school friends, and you’ll soon be feeling much better.