Back to school season | Don’t panic when the new semester comes! These five preparations can help →

Children have gradually bid farewell to their holidays and entered into a busy and orderly school life. During this critical period, parents' correct guidance and active support play a vital role in helping children start the new semester smoothly. Below, we will introduce in detail 5 aspects of how to help children prepare for the start of school.

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01 Physical Preparation

Adjust your work and rest schedule

During the winter vacation, most people go to bed late and get up late. Before and after school starts, students need to gradually adjust their work and rest schedules to return to the rhythm of school. Go to bed early and get up early every day, gradually advance the bedtime to before 10 pm, and adjust the waking time to before 7 am. This can help the body adapt to the requirement of getting up early after school starts, and avoid fatigue and lack of concentration caused by irregular work and rest after school starts.

Increase physical exercise

During the holidays, some students may lack exercise and their physical fitness may decline. Before and after school starts, proper physical exercise can help restore physical fitness and enhance immunity. It is recommended to do 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day, such as running, skipping rope, cycling, etc. This can improve cardiopulmonary function, enhance physical fitness, and relieve learning pressure after school starts.

Eat a healthy diet

During the winter vacation, students may not eat regularly or even eat too much high-sugar and high-fat food. Before and after school starts, students need to adjust their diet to ensure balanced nutrition. It is recommended to eat more foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, such as eggs, milk, vegetables and fruits, and reduce the intake of snacks and carbonated drinks. This can provide sufficient energy and nutrition, help the brain function better, and improve learning efficiency.

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02 Psychological Preparation

Adjust your mindset to welcome the new semester

The relaxed state during the holidays may make students feel resistant to the start of school, especially when facing new grades and new courses, which can easily cause anxiety and stress. It is recommended that parents and students actively communicate with each other to understand the learning content and goals of the new semester in advance and help students build confidence. This can alleviate the anxiety of the start of school and allow students to welcome the new semester with a positive attitude.

Set goals and inspire motivation

Before and after the start of school, students can set some specific learning goals for themselves, such as improving grades in a certain subject, mastering a new skill, etc. It is recommended that the goals should be specific and quantifiable , such as "recite 10 words every day" or "complete an essay every week." Clear goals can stimulate students' learning motivation and help them get into the learning state faster.

Learn to manage your emotions

After the start of school, students may face academic pressure, relationships with classmates and other issues, and emotional fluctuations are inevitable. Learning to manage emotions is an important part of mental health. It is recommended that students release stress through deep breathing, writing in a diary, talking to friends or parents , etc. This can help students maintain emotional stability and better cope with challenges in study and life.

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03 Study Habit Preparation

Create a study plan

After the start of the school year, the learning tasks will gradually increase. Making a study plan in advance can help students manage their time better. It is recommended to arrange daily study time according to the course schedule and reasonably allocate time for homework, review and preview. This can improve learning efficiency and avoid last-minute cramming.

Develop concentration

Accustomed to the free and undisciplined holidays, concentration naturally decreases. At this time, students need to restore their concentration through some exercises. It is recommended to arrange a fixed period of time every day for focused study, such as reading a book or completing a set of exercises, and avoid using mobile phones or other electronic devices during this period. This can help students re-adapt to the rhythm of classroom learning and improve their listening efficiency.

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Preview new courses

Students can learn about the course content of the new semester in advance, especially the more difficult subjects. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the new knowledge in advance by reading textbooks, watching relevant videos or asking teachers . This can reduce the learning pressure after the start of school and help students get into the learning state faster.

04 Daily routine preparation

Organize your learning environment

A clean and quiet learning environment can help students concentrate better. It is recommended that before school starts, students can tidy up their desks and school bags and prepare their study supplies, such as notebooks, stationery, etc. This can create a good learning atmosphere and reduce distractions during study.

Reduce the use of electronic devices

During the holidays, students may spend a lot of time on electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers. Before school starts, students need to gradually reduce the time they use electronic devices. It is recommended to limit the time of using electronic devices every day, especially avoid using them one hour before going to bed. This can protect eyesight and avoid interference of electronic devices on study and sleep.

Develop time management skills

After the start of the semester, students need to balance their time for study, rest and entertainment. Cultivating time management skills in advance can help students better adapt to the rhythm of the new semester. It is recommended to use a calendar or time management tool to arrange daily activities reasonably. This can improve learning efficiency and avoid wasting time.

05 Parents’ support and cooperation

Create a good family atmosphere

Parents’ support is crucial to students’ preparation for the new semester. Parents can help their children better adapt to the new semester through positive attitudes and actions. It is recommended that parents work with their children to develop a study plan and encourage their children to express their thoughts and feelings. This can enhance children’s sense of security and self-confidence.

Pay attention to children's mental health

At the beginning of the school year, children may face certain psychological pressure. Parents need to pay close attention to their children's emotional changes and provide timely support and guidance. It is recommended to communicate more with children, understand their learning and living conditions, and help them solve problems. This can help children maintain mental health and better cope with challenges in learning and life.

Provide necessary material support

Parents can prepare necessary learning and daily necessities for their children, such as school bags, stationery, water cups, etc. It is recommended to purchase and prepare in advance according to the actual needs of the children. This will allow the children to feel the care and support of their parents and enhance the sense of ceremony for the start of school.

The start of school is an important node in students' study and life. Being well prepared physically and mentally can help them better adapt to the rhythm of the new semester. By adjusting their work and rest schedules, strengthening their exercise, adjusting their mentality, and making study plans, students can meet the challenges of the new semester in the best condition. At the same time, the support and cooperation of parents is also an important guarantee for students to start school smoothly. I hope that every student can achieve excellent results in the new semester and grow up healthily and happily!

Author: Member of the China Science Writers Association

Reviewer: Tang Yicheng, Secretary General of the Psychology Popularization Committee of the Chinese Psychological Society

Produced by: Science Popularization China