It is hard to believe that it is time to head back to school. Some people have been back for a week or two, and others are just getting ready to start. After last year -- with remote learning, less teacher instruction, minimal student interactions, and the ability to wear pajamas every day to class -- feeling nervous, anxious, or uncertain is to be expected as students hopefully head into a “normal” school experience with daily in-person classes.
The active schedule presents one concern. Many are used to staying home and not seeing lots of people, while also not having much to do. Going to school every day will be a big change and it could feel tiring. That is to be expected. To deal with this, it is important to be compassionate with yourself. When you get home, give yourself a break, whether you choose to watch Netflix, scroll through social media, go for a walk, or do something else that helps you relax. Talking to people -- new and old -- may seem daunting as well. If your social skills feel a little rusty, it is all right. The most important thing to remember, while it may sound cheesy, is to be yourself. Being the authentic, kind person you are is a great way to attract people. Plus, people are in the same boat and are understanding of anything that may seem awkward, unnatural, or out of practice when interacting. Two other potential concerns are finding your way around the building and the increase in rigor from the year prior. To control both of these concerns, note that so many people want to help. Teachers are more than willing to direct students to a class or spend extra time to ensure they understand the material. Ask for help when it is needed and do not be afraid to do so. These concerns are valid and shared by many, which is important to keep in mind. In the beginning, it may be challenging to get back into the swing of what school used to be like, but, after some time adjusting, it will be a great experience. Think about how exciting it will be to see old friends, meet new friends, wave to people in the hallway, and pick fun outfits to wear to class. Good luck during this back to school season. What are you most excited and nervous for? Let me know in the comments.
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8/17/2021 2 Comments Fantastic Feel-good quotesSometimes people need a source of motivation or a positive reminder, so I compiled ten quotes to serve this purpose. Taking a quick read through them is an easy way to quickly feel a small boost of happiness. In the comments below, tell me what some of your favorite feel-good quotes are.
Dear Future Madeleine and Real and Relatable Readers:
The day this letter will be posted will be one day away from celebrating the one year anniversary of Real and Relatable. Because of this milestone, I thought it would be fitting to write a letter reflecting on the past year and what is to come. I can then respond to the letter this time next year. First, I am very proud of myself for starting this blog. It was something I wanted to do for a long time, and it is great that I actually did it and stuck with it. Oftentimes, the most difficult thing to do is getting started. I am not sure what the future will hold for the blog as I head into college next fall, but, for now, I look forward to continuing with my Real and Relatable posts. Speaking of college, it is a huge part of my life right now. I am talking with current college students to hear about their experiences as well as writing essays for my applications. The process is quite stressful - there is lots of competition and decisions to be made. It is good to note, however, that this time next year I will be getting ready to go to college. I will have a clear idea of where I am going and what I will do. The application process will be a thing of the past. Other than that, I have my senior year of high school. Unlike others I have heard from, I am not super excited for it. I will be busy with a rigorous course load, but I hope to spend more time with my family. It is crazy to know it is my last “normal” year at home. Of course I also have to bring up the coronavirus - it is a prominent part of everyone’s lives nowadays. There was a solid month where life felt normal after the year and a half of being very cautious about the pandemic. I was vaccinated, my family was eating in restaurants, I was hanging out with my friends inside, and I was volunteering in-person. With the new Delta variant, all of this seems in jeopardy and that is sad. I want to be optimistic, but I feel like things are going to get worse again before they get better. Since the pandemic, I have really enjoyed talking to people. I want to make more of an effort to hang out with my friends, but I have enjoyed talking to strangers too. I went up to a stranger on the beach and asked him about his hat. I walked up to random students on a college campus to ask them questions. I think this is a result of being isolated for so long because of the pandemic and because of my inquisitive nature. I also want to share the current situation with my friends. I do not have many friends at school, which can make it not so fun, but I am very grateful for the few I have. They are so supportive and make high school so much better. My other friends come from my youth group. It is common for seniors to not attend many youth group events, but I hope to stay active. I love the group of girls and being with them makes me so happy. It will be interesting to see if any of these relationship dynamics change next year. This post has turned into a bit of a diary entry. If you read to the end, I hope you were able to connect with something I shared or that it made you think. Looking back at past thoughts is really special, and I would encourage you to write a letter to your future self. Your future self will thank you. All my love, Real and Relatable (Madeleine) |
AuthorLover of adventures, traveling, family time, fashion, soccer, writing, and more, Madeleine is giving you all the real and relatable content you have been looking for. Archives
September 2021
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