New Year Plan for a Successful First Day at a New School 

January 13, 2025 byKristina Cappetta

5 min to read

A student is preparing for the new year at a new school

If the beginning of the new year also brings the start of a new school for your student, you want to do everything possible to make it a smooth transition. Changing schools mid-year can be challenging and often intimidating for a student. The Connections Academy team has provided some tips to develop a new year plan that will help to make your student’s transition a positive experience so the first day at a new school can be a success.

Become Familiar with The New School

Allow your student to become familiar with their new school environment. Follow along with an average day, if you can, to help your student become familiar with their new school routine. If they haven’t yet, ask to meet with your student’s teachers so that you can both introduce yourselves. Let the teachers know that you intend to stay in touch to see how your student is transitioning in their new school and if there is anything you can do to make the process smoother. Ask about the class expectations and if any work is required to be done before their first day at a new school.

Get Organized

Help your student get organized with a planner or digital calendar so they can keep on top of important dates. This is especially key for students in middle and high school who tend to have multiple assignments due at once. Having a designated spot where assignments, tests, and activities are listed can help your student better manage their time and reduce stress.

Find Extracurricular Activities and Clubs

Starting a new school in the middle of the year can leave your student feeling lonely as they try to make new friends. As part of your student’s new year plan, help them find clubs and extracurricular activities to build their connections with peers who share similar interests. As your student finds activities that interest them, you can put a positive spin on changing schools mid-year, especially if the activity is one that their old school did not provide.

Encourage Your Student to Be Friendly

Encourage your student to be friendly and initiate conversations with other students at their new school. If they are anxious about starting a conversation, talk to them about their feelings. You can also practice initiating a conversation so that your student can feel more comfortable about what to say.

Set Goals

Set new goals as part of your new year plan for your student’s transition to a new school. This can include saying hi to a new person or inviting someone to study together. Doing these things can help them make new friends and become more comfortable in their new environment. It can also give them a sense of accomplishment and boost their self-esteem as they reach their goals.

Online Students stay connected after changing schools midyear.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Switching to a new school mid-year can be stressful, but creating healthy sleep habits can help to limit stress. Studies show that people who are well-rested tend to stay calmer because when you sleep your body reduces the amount of cortisol that triggers a fight-or-flight response.

Set a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine for your student—no matter how old they are. Limiting screen time before bed and creating a relaxing environment by using a sound machine can help to promote a good night’s rest and reduce stress.

Set a Routine

Routines provide comfort and reduce stress because they let kids know what they can expect each morning. Create a morning routine that allows enough time for them to be ready for school on time. This will not only help your student to have a successful first day at a new school but will also set the tone for the remainder of the school year.

Encourage Old Friendship

Switching schools doesn’t mean your student has to end old friendships. Encourage them to stay in touch as they work to form new relationships. This can prevent them from becoming lonely, which can have a negative impact on their mental health since studies show that loneliness can lead to depression and anxiety.

Talk to Your Student

Keep the lines of communication open with your child. Talk to them about their anxieties and feelings about starting a new school. Let them express their feelings. This can help calm their fears as you reassure them things will be all right. You can also emphasize that starting a new school can be exciting and open new doors by exploring what their new school has to offer.

Consider Online School

If switching schools from one brick-and-mortar school to another mid-year becomes too stressful or is just not working out, consider transferring to an online school like Connections Academy. Here, as your child’s Learning Coach, you can take an active role in their education and create a learning plan with teachers and academic advisors that would best fit your student’s needs and academic goals. Reach out to the Connections Academy team to learn more about our online school and how it can benefit your student.

By having a new year plan that includes setting goals, establishing healthy sleeping habits, and creating a routine, you can help to ease the stress that can accompany the first day at a new school and set your student up for success.