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It’s that time again…

The weeks have flown by and the sound of school bells are just around the corner. But not to worry! ����ý Bitesize have put together four things that can help make the back to school season just that bit easier.

Organisation is key

School bag? Tick. Pencil case? Tick. Books? Tick.

Getting organised before you go back to school can save you a whole lot of time and stress. The good news is there’s more than one way to nail your back to school checklist.

Setting up a homework zone, jotting down any important dates in your planner and building a list of to-dos are all great ways of putting your best foot forward. Bonus points for packing your bag and any other supplies you need the day before and having them waiting by the door.

Adjusting your sleep routine a week before going back can get you ready for those early starts (boo!). The NHS suggests that children ages six to 12 require nine to 11 hours sleep, whereas teenagers need between seven to 11 hours. So the next time you’re tempted to watch one more episode of your favourite TV show, try counting sheep instead. Zzzz!

Let's get active

Research shows that regular physical activity before, during or after school can build brain power and improve academic performance. The NHS advises that children and young people aged between six and 18 should aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity across the week. While this can help boost your physical health, it can also help reduce anxiety and improve your mental health.

60 minutes, you say! Not to worry, there’s a number of fun ways you can get the exercise in. An active morning commute is a great way to help you check these off your list. Why not try taking a stroll to school or, if this isn’t possible, how about practising some keepy-uppies at lunch time.

According to data from the Association for Physical Education, students that are consistently physically active report improvements to their schoolwork, behaviour and mood. Result!

Reaching for the stars

Hoping to achieve a certain grade? Planning on joining a club? Want to make new friends? Awesome!

Going back to school can be a great time to put some goals in place for the upcoming academic year. Think about your aspirations and be sure to set targets that are both manageable and realistic.

A good way to do this is through setting so-called SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound and is a system often used in workplaces to make sure employees grow in their role, making it good practice for your future career, as well as for class.

Above all, you can only do the best that you can. Competitivity can be a key driver for success, but it also become unhealthy. So be ambitious, but don’t compare yourself to others. And remember, if you feel slightly worried about returning back to school, reach out to someone you trust. A trouble shared is a trouble halved. You’ve got this!

The early bird catches the worm

Nobody wants to think about revision, especially not this early in the academic year. But starting as soon as you can will make life a lot easier. Not only will it give you more time to perfect revision techniques, it could also help you spot the gaps in your subject knowledge.

Planning out your revision can make the world of difference. Try and have a go at any exam prep, coursework, homework or reading you know might be coming up.

When it comes to studying, you don’t always have to go solo. Find yourself a revision buddy, perhaps one that has similar goals to you. This way you can share hints and tips that can help you both get to where you want to be. Better yet, it means that you can celebrate your achievements together.

Consistency is key, getting familiar with your timetable, planning a homework schedule and reviewing the things you’ve learnt in class will give you the head start you need for the new school year.

And of course, Bitesize has loads of GCSE and Highers revision pages as well as the Bitesize app.