These will also help if you have to change your school or college.

Whatever’s happening, there are things that can help you prepare.

Getting ready

Write down your worries and hopes

Write down everything you’re looking forward to at school or college, and everything you’re worried about.

You could show the list to an adult you trust so that they can help you cope with the worries

Ask questions

Ask your parents, carers or teachers about anything you’re not sure about. You could ask about things you’ll need at school or college, who will be in your lessons or anything else that’s on your mind.

Use a mood journal

A mood journal can help you to let your feelings and worries out. Why not use it to write about how you’re feeling before going to school, and how it’s gone after.

Take your time

It can take time to adjust to changes at school or college, and it’s okay if it doesn’t feel comfortable at first. Even when you’re back at school, make time every day to do something you enjoy.

And remember, don’t put pressure on yourself to settle into the changes quickly. Let it happen naturally. Be best friends with your own mind.

Moving from primary to secondary school

The leap from primary school to secondary school or from secondary school to college can feel huge.

You may be worried:

• You won’t fit in
• Your workload will be too much to handle
• You won’t make new friends
• You don’t know what the teachers will be like

It’s important to remember there will be others that are in the same boat as you. You can even talk to someone in your class about how weird being in a new school is. Think of it as a bonding session.

Tips to settle into college

Jumping from school to college is daunting as there’s lots of new people to meet, a new campus to discover and a different way of studying to get to grips with. But all of this change can be exciting too.

To support you through this change and to help you settle into college life quickly, here are some tips to help you:

Don’t be afraid to ask questions – asking questions is how you learn, so don’t be scared to ask for help. If there’s something you don’t know yet, the chances are there is someone else who isn’t too sure either! Ask a classmate, teacher or member of staff you see around campus, and you’ll be sure to get the answer you need.

Get involved in college life – college is more than just lessons, it’s a time to meet people and explore your interests outside of the classroom too. The more you do, the more you will feel part of the college, and therefore more settled – so get stuck in!

Keep walking around campus to get your bearings – colleges tend to be a fair bit bigger than schools, which can take some getting used. You may be thinking “how long does it take to get from one classroom to the next? Where’s the canteen and the library?” Why not spend your lunch breaks in the first few weeks walking around campus? This way you’ll gradually find out where everything is, without any time pressure.

Spend time getting to know your teachers and classmates – these are the people you will see every day and will become your main source of information, support and fun! Spend time getting to know everyone and you will have a great support network. Make sure you support your fellow classmates too, and if you see anyone struggling, be sure to help them if you can.

Work hard – this one may be something you’ve heard time and time again, but by working hard you really will be helping yourself enjoy college life. The more you put into your studies the more you get out, so hit the books and reap the rewards!

Other people to talk to