Calm Nerves At the Beginning of a New School Year

Transitions are hard. Change is hard. I love the summer (as most school based employees surely do) and hate to see it end. This summer, I got to be home with my 17 month old daughter. It was enjoyable, but also sometimes a different kind of difficult from working full time. I’m looking forward to getting back in a routine. I’m looking forward to getting to have adult conversation. While I don’t love my 5:30AM alarm, I like being tired enough to fall asleep before 9PM.

So how can we help calm our nerves and those of our students? We are facing schedules, new students, multiple buildings, and therapy plans. Our students might be facing new teachers, a new school, new classmates, and higher expectations.

First, let’s talk about us as SLPs. Here’s how I make the transition back to school better for myself:

1. I get out my clothes the night before.
2. I make my lunch the night before.
3. I tell myself it will all get done and that even if I’m on revision #93 of my schedule, it will be ok.
4. I also tell myself the first week back with kids feels like it goes on forever, but that it will end and the weeks will start going by much faster
5. I organize myself as much as possible. This has gotten easier, since this will be my 5th year at the same school. Regardless, I’ve always done the same kinds of organization no matter where I’ve been because it works for me.

Now let’s talk about our students. Here’s how I help them:

1. We spend the first session just talking about the summer and going over goals. The students who I’ve had for awhile know what I expect and how our sessions work, but I always take the time to remind them.
2. If students are new to me or to the school, I take some extra time to get to know them.
3. I use the time in the hallway (I go and get almost all my students) to my advantage. We talk about what we will do that day or I ask them an open ended question.
4. Let students know that speech is a safe place. They can ask questions and make mistakes!
5. Laugh with them. It’s good for the soul.

As I embark on my 8th year as an SLP tomorrow, I wish you all a wonderful school year!