Let’s Face It—School Is Almost Back
Let’s Face It—School Is Almost Back
You might be trying to ignore the inevitable, but it’s time to face the music: school is right around the corner. While some of you may be dreading it, others might be craving a return to routine. No matter where you fall on that spectrum (or somewhere in between), there are things you can do now to set yourself up for a successful year.
Get Back on a Good Sleep Schedule
Summer often throws off any consistent sleep/wake rhythm. With longer days, warmer nights, fewer obligations, and more fun, it’s no surprise that your bedtime and wake-up time might be all over the place. One way to ease back into a routine is by figuring out how much time you actually need in the morning.
Try this: without worrying about waking up early, go through your full morning routine. How long does it take you to get ready? Time yourself a few times to get an average. This gives you a realistic idea of how much time you need before heading out the door.
Once you know that, you can decide if it makes sense to prep things like your clothes or lunch the night before. Maybe you only need 30 minutes to get ready—so waking up 90 minutes early might not be worth it. Working backwards from when you need to leave can help you figure out your ideal wake-up time—and from there, your ideal bedtime.
Focus on What You Can Control
When it comes to school, there are going to be things outside your control. But there’s also a lot that is within your power. You get to decide how you show up each day, what kind of attitude you bring, what you eat, and how you treat others.
When things feel overwhelming, it helps to slow down and focus on your own actions and reactions. Staying grounded in what you can control can make a big difference.
Remember: Moments Don’t Last Forever
Not every day is going to feel great—and that’s okay. But a tough class period or a stressful moment doesn’t have to define your whole day. Instead of labeling it as a “bad day,” try calling it a “tough moment.”
If negative thoughts or feelings aren’t helping you, you’re allowed to let them go. You don’t have to carry every rough interaction or frustrating experience with you. Letting go makes room for something better.
Trick Your Brain (In a Good Way)
If you’ve had therapy with Metanoia, you may have heard this before: “Your brain doesn’t know the difference between real and imagined.” That’s good news—because it means you can actually train your brain to feel the way you want to feel.
Need confidence? Want to feel calm or excited? Think back to a time when you felt that way. Picture it in detail. What do you see? Hear? How does your body feel? The more vivid your memory, the more your brain and body will respond as if it’s happening now.
If you’re stuck thinking about how nervous you were at the start of school last year, chances are you’ll feel the same again. But if you begin associating back-to-school with positive feelings, you have a much better shot at shifting your mindset.
