After a summer break of sleepy morning lie-ins, late night movies and spending lazy days with friends just chillin’, it’s time to get organised!

And if you find the idea of Secondary School a little scary you’re not alone so how can you ensure that those first few weeks run smoothly? By being prepared and understanding what to expect of course!

• One of the biggest changes you will notice is just how many pupils there are in your new school; hundreds more than there were in your Primary School that’s for sure. Very often schools offer open days and this is a great opportunity for you to meet your new classmates. If you can have a chat to as many people as possible so on your first day you can meet up and stay together.
• You’ll probably find you have to bring in more stuff in just one day then you did in a whole week at your last school. So be sure to choose a sturdy school bag that will hold everything from your books, stationery, homework, PE kit and of course your Lil-Lets teens starter pack in its discreet cosmetic bag. Check out our blog on School Bags.
• Rather than spending the entire day in one classroom you will find it is YOU that has to be on the move depending on what lessons you have. Your school will most likely offer you a planner so you can ensure you know where you are, on what day and at what time. Don’t worry if you get lost for the first few weeks, this happens to everyone.
• I am sure you’ve all heard stories of what it’s like to be the new kids in Secondary School; well the truth is that these stories are almost always untrue and made up by older pupils just for fun. The majority of older students understand and can remember what being a newbie was like and they are often happy to help you settle in, so don’t be afraid to ask.
• In Primary school you may only have had 20 minutes of homework each night consisting of spelling and reading. Once you start Secondary School the amount of homework you get will increase, but it pays to be sensible about it and allocate no more than 2 hours a night. If you find you are struggling to manage your workload have a chat to your parents and teacher who will be able to offer you advice and tips on how to prioritise your work going forward.
• For some of you, getting to your new school may mean catching the bus. If this applies to you, find a copy of the timetable so you know roughly when the bus will be arriving, avoid getting the one that gets you to school bang on time, just in case there are delays. If you can, find a bus stop that has lots of other pupils there at the same time, and have a trial run so you know the route and how long the journey is going to take.
• Finally, if you have a new pair of school shoes, wear them around the house for a few days before school starts to break them in. You’re going to be doing a lot of walking and the last thing you will want is blisters or pinched toes.