Back to School Survival Guide

Nervous about a new school year? Don’t worry, we all are. Being a senior myself (where did the time go?), I have learned a few things over the years about the first days and weeks of school. Here I’ve compiled my best tips into a survival guide for you, which will hopefully help with your nerves!

Eli Gallant / Cartoonist

1. School supplies

I know I’ll sound like every teacher here, but the right supplies are key to a good school year. Make sure you have more than one pencil and eraser (we all know how often these are lost), a binder and notebook, a calculator, and a functioning electronic device. Most of these can be found at the Dollarama across the street for under $5, so what are you waiting for? Go make your teachers happy and buy a binder!

2. Organization

Being organized can make all the difference when things are busy at the beginning of the year. Keeping an agenda or calendar is a real game changer — I find that having a physical reminder of what I need to do can really help me deal with stress because I can see exactly what’s coming and when. Personally, I have a whiteboard calendar in my bedroom where I take note of all my events, meetings, due dates, and tests!

3. Put yourself out there

The beginning of the year is often daunting, especially for students who are new to the school. I’ve learned during my years here that it is never a bad thing to take a chance, and that putting myself out there is always a good idea. For example, last year I took a chance and applied for Carpanatomy for the first time, and now I’m a co-editor-in-chief! During the first few weeks of school, step out of your comfort zone, talk to new people, join clubs, participate in events —  trust me, I know it feels scary now, but it will all be worth it!

4. Listen to the announcements!

Being up-to-date on Haig’s events is something that I took a while to figure out. Haig is such a big school and there is so much going on that sometimes it feels like you’ll never know about all the opportunities you have. Pay attention, though! If you listen carefully to our friends on Radio Haig and check the school Instagram accounts frequently enough, staying up-to-date shouldn’t be a problem. Make sure you do, though — once you’ve learned what’s happening, being a part of things is one of the best ways to enjoy the year! You can also find a full printed list of announcements every day on the bulletin board outside the main office.

5. Be yourself!

Don’t worry, I am fully aware that this tip is very cliché. What I’ve learned, though, is that Earl Haig is MASSIVE, and there is a group of people for everyone! If you like music, video games, fashion, art, math, or literally anything, don’t hide these parts of yourself. If you’re not genuine, you will never find the right group of people for you. I promise, if you are unapologetically yourself every day, you’ll meet the absolute best people!

That’s it for my survival guide! Remember that you have many options for support if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, not just at the beginning of the year, but for your entire high school journey. 

At Earl Haig, there’s something for everyone. Make sure to take advantage of the many opportunities our school has to offer. You never know what might catch your interest. Consider joining a club or two — or even starting your own club! The world is your oyster. Good luck, and carpe diem!