After weeks of summer fun, it will feel really weird having to put your school uniform on and go to lessons again. But this is not the time to panic! This Back to School guide will help you deal with teachers, no matter what situation you find yourselves in! 

1. Remember your stuff!

One thing you need to do every night before school is to pack your bag. So if you have PE, remember your kit, or Home Economics, remember your ingredients, your apron for Art, etc. Leave notes for yourself if you have to. Your teachers will appreciate you showing up kitted out and ready!

2. Get to class on time

It's hard for some of us to get everywhere on time - but when you show up on time for class and ready to learn your teachers will feel respected. Someone turning up late for every class can get quite frustrating for teachers! Sometimes you can’t help being late, and if that happens just apologise. 

3. Leave your phone

During the pandemic a lot of us got used to using our phones even more than usual. But the classroom is the time to focus. Leave it in your bag, turn it off or don’t bring it to class. Your teacher will really thank you for this. 

4.  Listen up!

Teachers put a lot of thought into planning lessons for you, and they love teaching – if they have kids who want to learn.  Paying attention to them while they are speaking makes their job easier. And you may even learn some cool stuff! For example - Hippopotamus milk is pink. Cool fact right? You now know that because you paid attention!

5. Participate in class

Okay, so we know this can be a bit scary for some people, but if you can be brave and put your hand up in class you will definitely learn more and your teachers will love it. They want to teach you and that’s easier if you are showing interest. 

6. Put yourself in your teacher’s shoes

Even though your teacher might seem a bit bossy remember they are probably just as nervous as you about being back at school properly. Putting yourself in another person’s shoes is a really important thing to be able to do, and helps you to be kind and understand people better. Maybe your teacher is super tired? Or maybe everyone is being a bit too cheeky? Whatever the case try and be nice. 

7. We know this is boring, but do your homework!

If you have homework, remember your teacher has put time and effort into thinking about it and they are wanting to see what you can do on your own.  So show them what you can do! Lots of people work from home now, so it’s a useful skill to learn.

8. Be polite

Good manners are totally free, so you should always use them! Remember that applies to teachers too.  Just saying the odd please and thank you can really make someone feel appreciated and they will also think well of you. 

9. Be positive

Not everyone likes school, but we all have to do it at some point. As you have to go anyway, try and focus on the things you like about learning, even if it’s just being able to see your friends and have a laugh! The more positive you can be, the more teachers will be able to support you.

10. Be honest

Sometimes we all struggle a bit and find things hard. It’s really important that you tell your teacher if you are finding anything difficult. They are there to help you and they can only do that if you are being honest. Teachers are totally cool when you just go up to them and say "I'm struggling with this." They want to help you!