First Published 17 August 2023

Back to School Blues or Excitement?

I’m not sure what gave it away, but the schools went back this week here in Hamilton.  It could have been the tiny humans walking past my house at about a quarter to 9 yesterday morning – perhaps with slightly more chatter than I’ve heard for a while.  Or, it could have been every other post in my Facebook newsfeed being the obligatory back to school photos. (don’t worry – the only way you would find one of those here is if I was to go hunting for one of my back to school pics… and I don’t dislike myself enough to do that 😉).

Do you remember that first day of a new school year?

Was it filled with excitement and a new academic year planner?

Was it filled with dread and uncertainty – not sure which class you would be in, would you like your teachers/classmates, and any other manner of other potentially anxiety filled questions…?

How are you with new beginnings or changes now? Do you embrace the excitement or the dread? Or maybe a mix of the two?

I think most people reading this will have thankfully moved beyond the cycle of sitting in the classroom with those new school year jitters (except for perhaps the lovely teachers amongst you!). 

Even if this is the case and your school days are firmly in your rear view mirror, can you use any of the back to school energy in your work or home life?  

Perhaps take a little time out to reflect on the year so far? And don’t forget to have fun with it!

• How are your plans shaping up? 
• Are there things you wanted to achieve this year that you haven’t started or that could do with a bit more focus or time spent on them?
• What has worked for you so far this year and what could you do with removing – maybe something as simple as resetting your bedtime or the time your alarm goes off in the morning now that Summer is beginning to fade.
• Are there new goals you would like to set or perhaps some to recommit to?
• Do you have the help and support you need (could you use a ‘tutor’ or ‘guidance counsellor’)?
• Are you taking enough breaks (could you benefit from play time or snack time?)
• Have you rewarded yourself for what you have achieved so far this year? (gold stars anyone 😉).
• Celebrate – come on, even nursery school kids get graduations these days – celebrate all the wins!

We only have 4 and a half months until the end of 2023 so make the days work for you.

And for those parents amongst you – congratulations you survived another summer holiday – that deserves a celebration too!

Teachers… it’s only 2 months until the October week… you’ve got this!

If you do need some support, I’m here and waiting to hear from you – my zoffee calendar is feeling all lonely…