BACK TO SCHOOL

If you do get bored, there are things you can do related to school, like trying out for a sport. Abigail Hayslett played for NMS volleyball last year. She practiced over the summer with her neighbors to make sure she was ready for the new year. "I wanted to play since I was about seven or eight,” she said. Playing sports can make school more enjoyable. For some people, it’s the best part. Abigail is a team player with a wonderful soul!

Going back to school can obviously be stressful. The anxiety of grades and studying can contribute to that stress. But with a small group of friends, you might find you study more often. When you study, you might feel less anxious about your grades. Confidence is vital for your self-esteem. Friends can help reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with school.

Miranda Scarbro is a 7th grader at Northside Middle School. "The thing I enjoy most is my friends,” she said. But schoolwork can be time-consuming, especially if you play a sport or have an after-school activity. Adapting to a new school year can be tough. One day you can sleep in and stay up late without any work, but the next day, you're waking up early, going to bed earlier, and managing more tasks. Miranda added, "It took me about two weeks to adapt." Some people find adjusting to new schedules and routines challenging. They might get placed in classes they didn't choose and feel stress about not knowing their teachers or classmates. But Miranda adjusted well and finds her classes okay.

Waking up early, between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM, is hard for many. Johmir Brown, a sixth grader, shared, “Over the summer, I went to bed at 1:00 AM.” Being tired all day isn't fun. Going to bed earlier might help you feel more energized. If you don't, you might end up feeling like a zombie. But if there's ever a zombie apocalypse, at least you'll fit right in! In conclusion, school isn't that scary if you avoid trash cans and try to get enough sleep. 

Aside from those challenges, you'll probably be just fine 😀