Fall 2021 Back-to-School Tips

Since the remote learning experiment of 2020 upended schedules and traditional approaches to school, going back to “normal” may not be as easy as we expect. When it comes to preparing for the upcoming school year and in-person classes and activities again, we need to take some time to evaluate what we’re in for and how to be ready.

Here’s some tips to consider when prepping for the first day of classes:

• Resist the urge to overschedule

  • After months of restrictions, the instinct might be to dive back in and immediately pack your schedule with all the extracurricular activities you’ve been missing. Create a healthy schedule and pace that best fits you. If it gets overwhelming, sit back and evaluate what needs to be prioritized.

• Prioritize sleep

  • Research suggests that teens and young adults who get 8-10 hours of sleep at night are physically and emotionally healthier and do better in school. We know it’s not exactly easy to go to bed early as a college student, but it’s recommended that you try to hit the hay before midnight.

• Avoid excessive focus on grades

  • Stressing about grades too much is something that should be avoided. Just focus on doing your best and prioritizing your mental health!

• Focus on human connections and relationships

  • With a whole year of remote learning, going back to in-person classes might cause a lack of confidence in your social skills. Once you’re in your normal routine again around others, you will start to gain that confidence back. Now’s the time to reconnect with your peers and establish new relationships with fellow classmates, coworkers, and hall-mates.

We hope these suggestions help you throughout the upcoming school year. If you find yourself stressed and in need of some delicious comfort food, treat yourself to some Zeppoli’s! Pasta, bread, and wine will be sure to cure your study blues.