How to Prepare for the Night Before School Starts

Co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA

Last Updated: December 29, 2024 Fact Checked

Ready or not, here comes the first day of school! Take the time to plan ahead and get ready, so you can relax, be comfortable, the night before, and put it some where it is easy to see in the morning and so you look at it and so you don't pick out another outfit in the morning.

Things You Should Know

Put your clothes out ahead of time and pack your bag the night before to avoid running late.
Go to bed at a reasonable time and confirm your transportation plans if you’re going to school with friends.
Don’t forget to set your alarm clock; set multiple alarms on your phone in case you tend to oversleep.

Steps

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Pick out your clothes the night before, or even sooner. Don't do it in a hurry in the morning. Check with a family member if you need approval or advice on fashion or making sure your clothing matches.^{[1]
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- If you wear a uniform, you can still show off your style by wearing a nice watch, nice earrings or nice jewelry.
Make sure to pack plenty of pens, pencils, and paper. If everything’s all packed up the night before, all you’ll have to do in the morning is grab your filled bag and go.

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Don't drink sodas with caffeine in them. You won't be able to get to sleep.^{[2]
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It'll help you work off some stress, and it will help you sleep better.^{[3]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

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A nutritious and filling breakfast can put you in a great mood for the first day of school. Make sure to schedule time in the morning to sit down and eat. A leisurely breakfast can help you gather your thoughts and prepare yourself for the day ahead.
the night before, or have all the parts ready so you can toss them in your lunchbox quickly.^{[4]
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Arrange a time and place to get together. You could meet them at school, or you could walk to school with them, if they live nearby.
Save yourself the trouble of any morning rushes.
Set your alarm clock before bed. You may even want multiple alarm clocks, just in case you don't wake up. You may still be used to the summer schedule of waking up late. Sleeping in on the first day is something you should avoid, as you might miss a few hours of important introductions.^{[5]
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You may ask a parent, guardian, or older sibling who's gone to the grade you are starting.
If you're new to a school, go before school starts and get a feel for where things are and how far apart they are. If you don't have time for this step, though, don't worry. Everybody else is going to be new there, too, so it's no big deal to ask questions, wander into the wrong room, and so on, especially for the first few days.^{[6]
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Take a sleeping pill if you have to.^{[7]
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HealthyChildren.org
Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Go to source} You don't want to stay up all night worrying about everything.^{[8]
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^{[9]
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University of Rochester Medical Center
Leading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and research

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Tips

Don't go to bed too late, but don't go to bed so early that you lie there worrying, either.

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Helpful 21 Not Helpful 7
Don't wait until the last minute. You will regret that.

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Make your own list. If there are things you know you want done, make a list and check those things off as you do them. Knowing that you have everything as ready as it can be might just help you sleep.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you get your class schedule before school starts, read it and try to memorize it before school. In case you lose it, take a picture of it or write it down on another piece of paper. You want to make sure you know where you’re going, especially if it’s a new school or in a different part of the school.
Wake up slightly earlier to give yourself some time to relax if you feel anxious or to simply head to school a little earlier. Try your best to enjoy every moment of the first day. Just be yourself, but don't overdo it.
If your school has an orientation day a couple of months before try to make friends then. Even if you don't get the same classes, you will still have a friend you can talk to between classes.
Remember that many other people will also be nervous about the first day of school, so feeling a little panicked is normal. Just take a few deep breaths to calm down.
If you are new, make sure that you are social and talk to people on your first day so you can make friends for the rest of the school year.

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Warnings

Make sure to place your alarm clock beyond arms' length, so that you're forced to get out of bed in order to turn it off. This will get you up and moving much more quickly.

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Do what it takes to get a good night's sleep. It will make all the difference in how you face the next day.

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Don't take an overdose! If you take a sleeping pill, make sure to check on the back to take the right dose.^{[10]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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