Secondary Ready
Coping with change
Regularly discuss with your parents how you are feeling, they will try to reassure you as much as possible.
Get information about D.C.H.S.
Feel good about yourself, you're going to be amazing.
Try and practice doing things for yourself as much as possible.
Get prepared - think about what you need for secondary school (pencil case, reading book, uniform etc).
Think and talk about school day routines and changes with your parents.
Be positive about the change.
Recognise that change doesn't have to be scary, it's also an exciting new opportunity!
Feel Good about yourself
Take time to think about all of the things you are good at, and build on this.
Feel proud of yourself.
Have fun making new friends and planning for your transition to D.C.H.S.
Exercise regularly - it will make you feel better about yourself and help you to relax and unwind.
Place trust in your best friends and teachers, they will all try and support you through this process.
Notice any changes in your behaviours or emotions and speak to somebody about it. There will always be a reason why you're behaving a certain way or feeling a certain emotion.
Be kind to yourself - don't put too much pressure on yourself!
Developing routines
Things to think about:
What time will you get up, get washed and be ready for school?
What is a good breakfast to start the day?
Where will you do your homework and when?
How long will you spend on social media and when will you turn it off? (It should be an hour before you go to sleep.)
When will you go to bed? (You really do need approximately 9.5 hours of sleep a night!)
Travelling to and from school
It’s really important that you get to school every day on time. Think about and plan for:
How to get there
Transport, routes and back-ups in case of emergencies
Visiting friends after school
After school clubs
Will someone be in when you get back from school or will you have a key to the house?
How will your parents know that you're safe?
Getting organised
Useful tips :
Do keep some spares pens and pencils, as some may get lost or left behind in classrooms by mistake.
Identify a drawer, box or shelf in your house where all the school stuff goes such as letters and books. Then everyone knows where to put “lost” things and where to find them.
It would be good to join the local library so that you can access books.
The fridge door or a notice board is a good place for letters, calendars and things which you use on a regular basis.
