Summer holidays and the school day timetable are a stark difference. One is where you aren’t restricted to a schedule and the other is where you have to stick to a strict routine. Adjusting to this difference can be a difficult thing and can take a while to get used to.
For many, once the summer holidays hit, a schedule is something that goes out the window. It’s where you can wake up whenever you want, spend time with your friends whenever you want and just do things you enjoy when you want to do it and it’s without any school responsibilities.
To others, needing a constant schedule is something that is needed, even during the summer holidays so the transition from the school routine to having nothing can be difficult. Either way, whether you’re going from a routine to nothing or vice versa, it can be a harsh adjustment and within a short space of time without much adjustment period.
You are just expected to deal with it and take it in your stride and for many, it is something that they can do with no issues but there are a few of you that might not take it so easily. Here are a few things that can help you with adjusting from summer to school days and vice versa.
Identifying the reasons; knowing what you find challenging when adjusting to a switch in your schedule can help you put things in place to make things easier. It could be because of the fear of the unknown, loss of control, lack of preparation or something else. Finding this information out can allow you to take back control.
Identifying how it’s making you feel; knowing how something makes you feel can help you understand yourself better, to make you feel more in control and to start changing the way you think and feel about the situation. It can be anything from finding sleeping and eating challenging, not wanting to go to school, a decline in performance or something else.
Identifying how you can prepare for the adjustment; once you know the reasons and how it can make you feel, putting things in place to make this adjustment easier can be the next step. Here are a few things that can help;
Start early; Before school finishes for the summer, have a basic schedule in place. It doesn’t have to be the exact same as a school day but having some sort of routine can help make that transition back into a school routine easier.
Positive reinforcement; when you’ve done something that you have found hard, treat yourself. It encourages self-compassion and allows yourself to feel proud for being able to push yourself.
It’s ok to take your time, it’s about finding what works for you and putting things in place to help you overcome the adjustment period. Asking for help can be something that can help you, it creates a support system and helps you when you need it.
Adjusting back into a routine can be a difficult thing and it’s ok to feel those feelings, even when others may not seem to be in the same situation. Remember, what works for someone else, may not work for you so it’s about finding what works best for you!