A million thoughts rushed through our heads, as we headed back to school. Do you remember that time in your life?
I always had the ‘butterflies-in-the-stomach’ feeling when school was approaching. The annual vacation (read mandatory trip to Dada-Dadi’s/Nana-Nani’s [grandparents] house, or an escape to a nearby hill-station) was done and dusted. The two Kodak rolls containing 40-odd photos each, had also been developed and the photo album, seen multiple times. Inquiries were now being made with elder siblings and friends in the same school as to what lay ahead in the next year of school, who the teachers would be and whether they were strict or “cool”. The thoughts of waking up early for school and (gulp!) homework loomed in the mind and the vacation’s blue summer skies were slowly getting murkier, bringing with it another year of school.
It wasn’t all ominous though. The best part of going back to school was here too. A sequence of clearly defined, joy-inducing shopping rituals would now be followed: buy new books and the standard brown wrapping paper, labels, pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, shoes, ties, uniform and (when lucky) a new schoolbag too! And what about the goosebumps of day one?! The nervous build-up of excitement of seeing the current crush again. The eagerness to show off the brand new double-decker, tiffin box. The mystery of what sports “house” we’d be part of (red, green, blue or yellow). The secret hope of being allocated to the same classroom as our other friends. A million thoughts rushed through our heads, as we picked up our bags for the first time in the year!
A million thoughts rushed through our heads, as we headed back to school. Do you remember that time in your life? Celebrate the back-to-school time with us, as we hit rewind and travel to the back-to-school of the ‘90s! Keep tooting!
Wondering how to prepare your child for the return?
“With the summer holidays coming to an end, the start of the school term can sometimes be met with mixed emotions. It’s important that you and your children are ready so you can smoothly switch back to that school routine. It’s easy to put off some tasks until the very last minute, so we’ve put together some tips for getting ready to return to school after the summer break so the return to school can be headache and stress-free. Some children love heading back to school, to see their friends and enjoy after-school activities. However, some children may be a little more apprehensive or may even be dreading it,” say the experts at Swiss International School, Dubai.
Have a conversation with your children before they return to school, ask them what they are looking forward to and if there’s anything they are worried about. This will give your child an opportunity to speak up about any concerns they have and gives you a chance to solve them to settle your child.
Experts, Swiss International School, Dubai
Get your shopping list ready, for there are always things you need to get for the start of the term. Check your children’s uniforms and if they need any replacements, sizes up, or spares. Any notepads and stationery that may be needed or if your child is taking any extra or new classes, they may need new equipment or uniform. Allowing time before the summer holidays end, ensures you have time to get everything your child will need without having to rush at the very last minute.
