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Eliminating First Day of School Jitters

I was excited and nervous at the same time. This was the moment I had worked so hard for. All that studying. All those days when I had to give up hanging out with my friends. My palms were sweaty, but I wasn’t going to let my new students know how nervous I was!

The first day of school is an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience. For new educators stepping into their classrooms for the first time, it’s completely normal to feel both anticipation and anxiety. Even as a veteran teacher, I still get nervous sometimes. So, fear not! We’ll discuss ways that you can alleviate the first day of school jitters.

Symptoms of First Day of School Jitters may include sweating, increased heartbeat, shaking, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even anger.

Here are 13 friendly tips to help alleviate those jitters and make your first day as a teacher a great one.

Prepare…Prepare

Yes, prepare. Prepare…prepare. If there is one thing that will save you every time, it is preparation. Plan for your first few days of school. In fact, over plan. This will ensure that you don’t have any down time for your students.

Planning for upcoming class to help alleviate anxiety

Familiarize yourself with your lesson plans and any materials you may need for the first few weeks of school. Having a clear roadmap of what you’ll be doing on the first day will help to significantly reduce your anxiety.

Deep Breaths

Take deep breaths to help relieve your anxiety. Deep breathing can help the body get the sufficient amount of oxygen it needs. Oxygen is needed to eliminate waste and move nutrients through the body. Did you know that anxious people take small, shallow breaths. This helps to prolong those moments of anxiety. So, take a deep breath instead. This will help to eliminate those stress hormones and create a sense of calm.

Journal

Keeping a journal is a great way to record the events of your everyday life and a way to relieve stress. Reflective writing helps you deal with anxiety. It can also help to decrease the amount of cortisol in your blood system. Cortisol was originally designed to help the body during dangerous and tense situations, but in large doses, it can be harmful.

Mediate

Try mediating the day before school starts. One of the easiest ways to meditate is to find a place where you can be free of any distractions. Choose a comfortable sitting position, partially close your eyes, and clear your mind. Begin to slow your breathing. Once this is done, focus on breathing in and out. Do this for about 10 to 15 minutes. As simple as this may sound, it will help to ease those first day of school jitters.

Ultimate Back-to-School Self-Care Guide for Teachers

Get Enough Sleep

I know you are nervous. I know your mind is swirling with ideas for the upcoming school year. However, go to bed. Go to bed on time. Hey, you may even want to go to bed early so that you can get enough rest. Getting enough sleep will help to ensure that you are at your best for the first day of school.

Set Clear Expectations

Establish classroom rules and expectations right from the start. When students understand the boundaries, it creates a sense of order that can ease your anxiety about managing the class.

Be Early

Get there early! The first day of school, plan to arrive early. This will give you time to get settled in, and this extra time lets you deal with any last-minute hiccups.

Smile

A warm smile and a friendly greeting can do wonders. As students walk into your classroom, a welcoming demeanor sets a positive tone for the day. This is not saying be their friend. Instead, show them that you are approachable, and that you are there to help guide their educational process.

Icebreakers

Plan a few icebreaker activities to help students relax and get to know you as well as their classmates. They can help to ease your tensions. Plus, these activities can help to give you a chance to see your students’ personalities shine.

Have a Backup Plan

Things might not always go as planned, and that’s perfectly okay. Have a backup activity or two in your pocket in case you need to switch gears due to unforeseen circumstances. Over plan. If you can, plan as if you will have them for 2 days instead of 1. Why? Because chances are good that some of them will finish early, you want to have something for them to do.

And, I hate to tell you this, but the first days of school are chaotic. So, many times, schedules won’t go as planned. Students may get stuck in your classroom for long periods of time while they administrators work out the kinks. This is why I would advise you to over plan.

Practice Self-Compassion

Next, remember, it’s okay to be nervous. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. Don’t try to be perfect. Don’t compare yourself to the other teacher down the hall. And, don’t get mad at yourself if you have to have an extra scoop of ice cream or you have to take a few minutes for a self-imposed time out. Giving yourself some compassion is one of the ways to alleviate the first day of school jitters.

Lean on Your Teacher Tribe

Don’t try to pretend that you have it all together when you don’t. Instead, lean on your fellow teachers for assistance and emotional support. Hopefully, your new school will provide you with a mentor.

Reflect and Adapt

At the end of the day, take a moment to reflect over your day. Identify the things that went well. Identify the things that you can improve. Every day is new day and a new beginning. It’s a learning experience. So, adjust your strategies based on your observations.

The first day of school is a scary and yet exciting time. It is the beginning of a journey into the unknown, but it’s a journey you’re cherish forever. By embracing these 13 tips, you’ll alleviate your first day of school jitters, and set the stage for a successful and enjoyable school year.

Happy Teaching!!!