THE first day back at school is more than waking up early and dragging yourself to class.
It's not about laughing about your teachers or classmates, or accidentally falling asleep.
It's about going in with a positive attitude, and making a good first impression on everyone - this will get you off to a good start for a new year. The first steps in starting the school year off well begin at home. Before you go to school, make sure you have everything you need: binders, pens, lunch, gym strip, and, most importantly, your schedule. You don't want to find yourself unprepared or lost on the first day. Make sure you know when your class will start, because there's no worse feeling than arriving late to a class, everyone's eyes on you.
Besides being prepared, it's always good to dress well. If you show up in a tutu and rainbow socks, expect whispers and pointing.
It's always better to dress casually - like you would every day - rather than putting on a show. Don't try to squeeze into the latest trend; wear something that fits your body type and makes you comfortable. Be yourself! If you want classmates to like you for you, then be genuine and honest with your choices. Of course, it goes the other way around.
Sometimes you'll be the one needing to accept someone else - maybe a new student or just someone socially awkward. It never hurts to go into school with an open mind, so be friendly and accepting, and talk with people you don't normally talk with. You never know who you'll be in a class with, and maybe your good friends won't be in it. It's good to have acquaintances.
While it's great to have a few close friends who you spend your time with, don't be closed off, either.
Plus, there are always the teachers.
Despite their wide smiles, they might be even more nervous than you. Imagine standing in front of a classroom of tired students, who don't want to be there, as you try to make a boring subject as interesting as possible in less than two hours.
It's not as easy as they make it seem. So don't pop your gum in your teacher's face - try to participate in the class. Even if you ask one question, it lets your teacher know you're interested in what he/she is saying and you're willing to learn.
Have a positive attitude; laugh at your teacher's jokes. Make your teacher comfortable.
Which assignment do you think is the most important? Maybe it's the one you spend the most time on, or the one worth the most marks. But none of those set the standard for the year as much as the first assignment.
The first assignment you get is usually fairly easy. You're just getting settled into school, and you don't have much homework.
So, make the first assignment count. If you do well on it, your teacher will get the impression that you're a good, hard-working student.
When it's time to mark your next assignment, your teacher will see your name and go into marking it with a positive attitude.
If you do well on that too, then on your third assignment your teacher will be even happier to mark it. It's the snowball effect.
So, in order to make a good first impression at school - with your classmates, and with your teachers - there are five easy steps.
Be prepared, be yourself, have an open mind, participate in class, and make the first assignment count.
Hopefully you'll all have a great first day!
