Tips for Moving from Winter Break to School Mode

Now that we are nearly two weeks past the major holidays, many students have returned to school. For some, the transition from winter break to school mode might be very rough. To learn about how to ease back into school, read this article.

Why Is the Transition from Winter Break to School Harder for Some?

Some students have a much harder time going back to school than others. Students with social anxiety disorder might refuse to go to school for fear that their new classmates will not like them. They might do everything they can to get out of group projects. Students with learning disabilities might fear being bullied for learning more slowly or differently than their classmates.

In addition to social anxiety disorder and learning disabilities, age can play a huge factor. As students get older, the amount of work and difficulty levels increase. In elementary school, many students look forward to seeing their friends again. Because there is less expected of them from their classes, they think less about the difficulty level. Students in middle school, high school, and/or college might spend more energy worrying about their classes than thinking about their friends.

Of course, there are always exceptions. But if you are a parent trying to understand why one child is adjusting better than another, all of the aforementioned explanations could be contributing to the issue.

How Can Students Transition from Winter Break to School Mode?

If you are a student having a difficult transition from winter break to school mode, there are many things you can do.

First, let’s talk about some signs that you might need help transitioning.

• You sleep through all of your morning classes.
• During all (or most) of your classes, you imagine that you are back on winter break.
• Throughout the school days, you think about everything you did not do during winter break.
• You isolate yourself during lunch.
• Even if you are capable of taking a class at a certain level, you ask to be dropped to a lower level.

All of the aforementioned signs could apply to students at any time of the year. However, if these signs show up for the first time right after winter break ends, you might need help easing back into school. Here are a few ways you can seek assistance:

• Talk to a parent or a close friend about your difficulties adjusting to school.
• If a loved one or a teacher reaches out to you with concern, try to hear that person out and accept his or her assistance.
• If you really start to question whether the transition is affecting your life, reach out to someone sooner rather than later.
• Write a list of enjoyable activities that you can do on the weekends or after school.

To learn about ways I coped with the transition from winter break to school mode, watch the video below.