Logan, Jessie, Zoe and Ryan all know what it’s like to start secondary school. Here, they share eight things they wish they had known at the start, which might help you settle in. From making sure you’re not carrying too much stuff in your bag to tips to help you know where you need to be at all times.
PUPIL 1: It's pressure…
PUPIL 2: I wish I…
PUPIL 1: knew…
PUPIL 3: these things
PUPIL 2: before…
PUPIL 3: I started…
PUPIL 4: secondary school.
PUPIL 3: Make sure you get a good night's sleep because if you don't get a good night's sleep, you'll end up looking like death and feeling like death in the morning.
PUPIL 2: A good idea when you get your timetable is to take a photo of it and set it as you lock screen, so when you don't know where to go you can easily just check your phone and go to that class.
PUPIL 4: Only bring what you need in your bag rather than everything.
PUPIL 2: PE kit?
PUPIL 4: 'cause that just gets really annoying.
PUPIL 1: Go to your classroom early to see if there's somebody there, and you can sit with them and talk to them for five minutes before the class and you've already got a friend.
PUPIL 3: Aim to get a full breakfast in the morning just to keep you energised until you go to your break time or go to your lunchtime.
PUPIL 4: You should put your phone on silent because I remember one time I forgot to. I was panicking throughout all class. I was like: it's gonna go off, it's gonna go off!
PUPIL 2: I'd advise to bring your own lunch, so you're not waiting in the dinner line and wasting your own time. Next one!
PUPIL 3: Definitely don't suffer in silence when you're in school or in class as the teachers are there to help you and assist you further.
Tips:
Make sure you get a good night's sleep because if you don't get a good night's sleep, you'll end up looking like death and feeling like death in the morning.
Not all schools allow mobile phones, but if they do a good idea when you get your timetable is to take a photo of it and set it as your lock screen, so when you don't know where to go you can easily just check your phone and go to that class. Alternatively, keep your timetable in a laminated sleeve so it doesn't get damaged and you can pull it out anytime.
Only bring what you need in your bag rather than everything.
Go to your classroom early to see if there's somebody there, and you can sit with them and talk to them for five minutes before the class and you've already got a friend.
Eating breakfast in the morning will keep you energised until you go on your break or lunchtime.
If you are allowed your phone in school, you should put it on silent as you don’t want to be worrying about it accidentally ringing whilst you are doing algebra!
Definitely don't suffer in silence when you're in school or in class as the teachers are there to help you.
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.
More from BBC Bitesize Parents' Toolkit…
Parents' Toolkit
Fun activities, real-life stories, wellbeing support and loads of helpful advice - we're here for you and your child.
Myths about secondary school
Are all teachers strict? Are the older students out to scare you? And what is the canteen really like?
Making new friends
How to make lasting friendships at your new school.
Letter to my younger self
Ryan talks about what he would do differently if he could start secondary school again.
Secondary school strugglers
Four students who struggled at first but managed to turn it around.
Starting Secondary School homepage
Free resources to help with the move to secondary school.
