Summary
Starting secondary school is a big change. New teachers, new subjects, a new timetable and possibly a completely new group of friends can feel exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. Here’s what to expect from your first few weeks and some tips to help you settle in.
Starting a new chapter
After so many years of primary school, starting secondary school can feel like a huge step.
Instead of spending most of your day with one teacher and the same class, you might suddenly have different teachers for every subject, classrooms to find, books to remember and a timetable to follow.
You might also be going to a school where you don’t know many people, while some of your primary school friends may be heading somewhere else.
That can feel like a lot of change all at once.
Remember that every other first year is starting something new too. Even the person who looks completely confident walking through the school gates might be feeling nervous on the inside.
Nobody expects you to have everything figured out on your first day. Give yourself time to settle in, learn how your new school works and find the people and places that make you feel comfortable.
Give yourself time to find your way around
Secondary schools can seem enormous compared with primary school, especially when you’re trying to find a classroom before the bell rings.
Keep your timetable somewhere easy to find and take some time to learn where your main classrooms are.
If you get lost or arrive late because you couldn’t find somewhere, don’t panic. Ask a teacher, another member of staff or an older student for help. You definitely won’t be the first first year to take a wrong turn!
Don’t put pressure on yourself to make friends immediately
You might be starting secondary school with your best friends from primary school, knowing one or two people, or knowing nobody at all.
Whatever your situation, remember that friendships take time.
Try starting small. Say hello to the person sitting beside you, ask someone what class they have next or join a conversation at lunch.
You don’t need to find your new best friend during your first week. Give yourself time to get to know different people and find friendships where you can feel comfortable being yourself.
It’s okay to miss your primary school friends
If your friends have gone to different secondary schools, it can feel strange suddenly not seeing them every day.
Starting different schools doesn’t mean your friendship has to end. You can still message, meet up and make plans together.
At the same time, try to give yourself permission to meet new people too. Making a new friend doesn’t mean you’re replacing an old one.
Take your timetable one day at a time
English. Maths. Science. Irish. Geography. PE. And where exactly is Room 204 again?
Having lots of different subjects, teachers and classrooms can take some getting used to.
Try getting your schoolbag ready the night before and check what books, copies or equipment you’ll need for the following day.
You don’t need to memorise your entire timetable immediately. After a few weeks, getting from one class to another will probably start to feel much more natural.
Don’t panic about homework
You may notice that homework feels different in secondary school. You could have work from several subjects on the same evening and different deadlines to remember.
Writing homework down as you get it can help you keep track of everything.
If you don’t understand something, ask your teacher for help. Nobody understands everything the first time they learn it, and asking a question is nothing to be embarrassed about.
Try to give yourself breaks too. Your brain needs time to switch off as well as time to learn. Childline has more advice on managing homework and revision if schoolwork starts to feel overwhelming.
Find the adults you can go to
You don’t have to manage everything about starting secondary school by yourself.
Your school may have a class tutor, year head, guidance counsellor or other staff members whose job includes helping students settle in.
If something is worrying you, whether it’s schoolwork, friendships, bullying, finding your way around or how you’re feeling, tell an adult you trust.
You could talk to someone at school or a parent, carer or another trusted adult in your life.
And if you don’t feel ready to talk to someone you know, Childline is here too.
Remember: you don’t have to get first year “right”
There isn’t a correct way to feel about starting secondary school.
You might love it immediately. You might find the first few weeks difficult. You might have a brilliant first day and a terrible second one.
Give yourself time.
Starting secondary school isn’t just about learning new subjects. You’re also learning a completely new routine, meeting new people and becoming more independent.
Before long, the corridors that seemed confusing and the timetable that looked impossible will probably start to feel normal.
And someday, you might even find yourself giving directions to a lost first year!
Key takeaways
- Feeling nervous, excited or unsure about starting secondary school is completely normal.
- Nobody expects you to know how everything works straight away.
- Give yourself time to make friends and settle into your new routine.
- Getting organised can make timetables, books and homework feel more manageable.
- Don't be afraid to ask a teacher or trusted adult for help.
- If something is worrying you, talking about it can make a big difference.
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