As a young adult, I vividly remember the deep feeling of sadness as the summertime drew to a close. No more sleeping in or doing whatever you want on a whim. Now I think back to my high school and college years, the start of a new year was was like the “Sunday Scaries” we have sometimes as adults, but multiplied by a thousand! Although I do miss those long vacations, at least when you work, you barely notice the end of summer!

If you’re going back to high school or college in the next few weeks, here are my tips to ease the pain of getting back into a routine, and diminish that “Summertime Sadness” as much as possible.

Routine

Late nights and waking up at 10am are a summer vacation luxury, and something we get used to far too easily! To reduce the shock to your system, try to get back onto a school-time schedule a few days in advance.

Plan ahead

Go old school with a diary or use your phone’s calendar — whatever your prefered method – make sure to plan ahead. Add your classes, schedule specific time to study and try not to let your friends distract you. Setting boundaries for yourself will allow you to enjoy your time off even more. This planning and structure will be helpful for your future when you are working.

Don’t be late

A new semester means new classes. Be sure to arrive on time, or better, early to your class, especially if it’s in an area of campus you’ve never been to. Plan your journey using public transit with the Moovit app to ensure you know exactly when the bus or train will arrive.

When I was at university in London, the night bus was my savior after a night out. It was always cheaper than a taxi and it was always impossible to get a black cab in the early hours anyway. I just wish I had Moovit back then to tell me the bus wasn’t arriving for another 17 minutes so I could carry on partying until the last moment.

Get involved in extracurricular activities

Moovit covers over 2,500 cities around the world, but if your local transit or college shuttle isn’t on the Moovit app, this is your chance to not only try something new and challenging, but to also make new friends. Moovit’s University Program offers a unique opportunity to contribute to your local community, learn valuable skills, and encourage people to reduce their carbon footprint by making it simpler to travel on transit.

Motivate yourself

I remember one of the hardest things at college was motivating myself. If you find this a struggle too, be sure to subscribe to some motivational accounts for some moral support. Although, be sure not to read these as another excuse to procrastinate!  

• • Thrive Global and Ariana Huffington’s LinkedIn profile — science-based solutions to lower stress, and enhance well-being and performance.
  • Yogainspiration — great quotes, plus some inspirational yoga moves. If humans are able to bend in those ways, we can do anything we set our minds to!
  • TedTalks — their program Ted Recommends allows them to send you bespoke information on topics that you’re really interested in.
  • Calm or Headspace — for help with meditation and mindfulness.

Here’s to a happy and successful new school year ahead!