With all the festive shopping, holiday family get-togethers and the late movie nights or parties, getting back to school may seem like an uphill climb. Undoubtedly, you are already getting mini panic attacks at the thought of being back at school.

Whether you are sad that the days of sleeping in and having extra time on your hands are over, or excited to get back to school, catch up with all your friends and start your new classes; schools will be back on session next week. The sooner you admit this fact, the better.

Whatever your habits have been over the vacation, the first day back will be a lot less stressful if you’ve gotten a good night’s sleep and have prepared everything you need the next morning so you’re not rushing. The day before school, sort out your bags and stuff to make sure you have everything. Set your alarm and go to bed very early so you get a good night’s sleep.

If necessary, adjust your sleep schedule before you are scheduled to go back to school. You don’t want to be falling asleep during class on the first day back – it will set a bad impression with your new teachers. 

Make sure that all homework assigned over the break is completed. Look reasonably at the amount you have, and don’t save it till the last minute. The last thing you’ll want to have to do is finish work on top of your regular schoolwork, so get it done early. This includes reading. If you read your books earlier in the break, it helps to jog your memory.

Try to get to school or campus a little early so you can get accustomed before you’re bombarded by classmates and before you have to dive right in to your classes. If you’ve got a few precious extra minutes of your day to yourself, use it to get organized and prioritise your tasks. Choose the most essential things you need to do and put them on your list, and schedule less urgent ones throughout the week. 

For school success, creating a study plan and routine at the start of the semester/term is crucial. Use a planner or online calendar like Google Calendar not just to schedule all your classes, but also carve out your study times and project due dates, referring to your course handouts and your teacher’s instructions.

If you’re still feeling like you’re only there in body, get a jump start by tackling just one small task. First have a list of tasks you want to accomplish for the day, and make sure there’s an easy (but still important) task on there at the top. There’s nothing as invigorating as checking something off your list. Attend your first classes. Read the syllabi. Make sure you’ve got all the supplies and books you need (or make the notes and preparations to get them). You’re off to a good start.

Conclusively, your enthusiasm may be low (or non-existent) and you may balk at going back to school but the truth is – it is inevitable. School is a positive thing and should not be eliciting negative energy from you. If you think education is stressful, try ignorance- the epitome of stress. It may also help to remember you’re not alone; a lot of other people are just as likely to be anxious about returning to school as you are.

The writer is a lecturer at The Adventist University of Central Africa

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YOUR DEBATE

Dan Mutara, university student: Having less interest in economics than any other subjects is basically about your attitude towards it; you don’t enjoy studying and also you look at it as a difficult subject. Change your attitude; start looking at it like any other subject you like, and give it more time for revision. 

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St. Prince Nkusi, Senior Six vacationist: Team work makes studying easy and exciting. Since you don’t enjoy studying economics, you should consider joining your fellow students who enjoy studying the subject and seek their assistance on ways to succeed.

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Jean-Bosco Mutabazi, student: You should try to be close to your teachers and seek their assistance. Teachers have a lot of experience and are acquainted with effective ways to help you make the most out of your studies. Open up to your economics teacher, and request him to help.

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Vanessa Ituze, Senior Six vacationist: Don’t give up. Keep trying to improve your grades by regularly attending classes, doing extra revision, as well as consulting your teachers and friends. Eventually, this will offer you an opportunity to embrace your academics and keep you close to what you want to achieve.