First Day Jitters: Back-to-School Tips from a Kid

Hannah Alper, Kid Blogger
Blogger Hannah Alper
Blogger Hannah Alper

It's almost September and that means the start of a new school year. Some kids, like me, might be going to a new school this year. It's really exciting, but it also can be really scary. I was at the same school for six years, starting in kindergarten, so this is kind of a big deal. Last year, I was in the oldest grade, and now I'm going to be the youngest.

Here are some ideas that I put together to help kids get started for the school year:

Introduce yourself to others. Here are some questions that help you get to know somebody:

"What did you do this summer?"

"What was the last good movie you saw?"

"What's your favorite sport?"

"Which bands do you like?'

People love to talk about themselves, so ask away!

Get involved in your school community. There are many things you can do to help out around school. You can ask your guidance counselor if there are events like charity walks that you can join. This is a great way to meet people, make friends, and also support important causes you believe in.

Know the school rules and follow them. You definitely do not want to be known as the kid who breaks the rules.

Be kind and respectful to everyone. This includes teachers, school staff, and students. If you want to make a friend, you have to be a friend.

Participate in class. For classes like art, be creative, be artistic, and just have fun! You might find some kids who share your interests and become friends.

Include everyone. Remember to give everyone a turn and include everyone that you can in whatever you're doing. For example, if you're playing soccer at recess, invite other kids to join you whether they're in your grade or not.

Eat lunch with different people. Lunch is a great time to sit and talk, and by eating with different people each day, you can get to know them and make even more friends. Keep your eye out for that one kid who has no one to sit with and ask to sit with them. I bet both of your lives will be better for it.

Try your best in everything. We can't all be awesome at every subject, but you have to try. Forget about being perfect-it's never achievable. School is about learning new things and building on what you know.

Ask for help when you need it. If you're having a hard time with something, ask your teacher or classmate for help. If you don't ask, you might not be able to solve the problem.

Don't sweat it. You're not the only one who feels nervous, shy, or uncomfortable about going to a new school. Before you know it, it will be October and none of us will be new students anymore.

Hannah Alper started her blog CallMeHannah in June 2012. Since then, she's become one of the most popular kid bloggers on the Internet. She has been interviewed by Global TV, APP Central, ZOOMER, The Marilyn Show, CBC's George Stroumboulopoulos, and has been featured in Chickadee Magazine and named as a Champion of the Earth in Owl Magazine. Most recently, she was the on-the-ground "eco blogger" for the 2013 JUNO Awards.