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Nobody likes going back to school after the holidays – and no adults really like going back to work after their break either!
But, here’s the thing. If we were on holidays all the time, we’d never appreciate them when they came around. So in a way, we have to get back to a normal routine in order to truly enjoy our holidays when they come around again in a few weeks or months!
If you’re feeling down about going back to school or are worried about exams, here are a few things you can do:
1. Focus on the positive rather than the negative
It’s easy to list off all the things you’re going to miss about being off school but instead, write out what you’re looking forward to about going back to school. For example: seeing your friends again, having a daily routine, getting back to a subject or class you really like, after-school activities or even just your lunch break!
2. Know what you need to do to have a good day
Everyone is different so it’s a really good idea to find out what makes your day great. It might be getting a good night’s sleep the night before, making sure you have all your homework done by 6pm, packing a specific type of sandwich for lunch or maybe having a morning ritual with your parents or siblings where you do a few minutes of mindfulness or make smoothies together!
3. Plan a fun or relaxing after-school activity for yourself each day
If school and homework are not your idea of a good time, it’s important to factor in some time during the day to do something you’re passionate about. All you need is thirty minutes to do what makes you happy – reading, cycling, playing football, painting, singing, doing karate…. Whatever it is, it will help make every day better.
4. Talk about what happened at school
If the thought of going back to school fills you with dread, you’re not alone. And it’s okay to feel those feelings. You don’t need to ignore them. In fact, by bottling them up you might be making them worse than they actually are. Why not make a habit of sharing what happened during your day with your parent or sibling or friend? Alternatively, you could keep a diary where you try to match any bad incident with something good that also happened.
5. Take it one day at a time
Your child might feel like school is never going to end and that the next set of holidays are a million miles away. Help them know that they’re really not! Even though going back to school after the summer holidays might seem hard, remind them that Halloween and Christmas are around the corner to look forward to.
About Childline by ISPCC
ISPCC is a national charity dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and young people; they are at the heart of everything we do. Childline.ie provides a full suite of child-centred services, programmes and supports that are focused on strengthening resilience and developing coping competencies for children and young people.
Any child or young person in Ireland up to and including those aged 18 years of age can contact Childline’s 24-hour support line by live chat - Childline.ie or calling 1800 66 66 66. The service is free, confidential, and non-judgemental.
Our 24/7 Childline listening support service involves professionally trained facilitators actively listening, supporting and empowering children and young people. Our Childline Therapeutic Support Services offers children and young people a more long-term, personalised individual plan of support depending on their level of need and presenting issues.
ISPCC’s Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing programmes aim to reduce anxiety for children and young people, as well as helping their parents/carers to manage their own anxiety while supporting their anxious child or teenager. These CBT-based programmes have been developed by SilverCloud, a leading digital mental health provider.
Brought to you by Calpol
Calpol is proud to support Childline by ISPCC and all the important work that they do.
JNTL Consumer Health I (Ireland) Limited will donate €27,000 to the Irish Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children CHY5102 & RCN 20007225 in relation to this charitable campaign. No purchase necessary.
CALPOL® Infant and CALPOL® Six Plus contain paracetamol. For pain and fever relief.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
