We asked a few experts – the students, of course – about going back to school. Our expert panel includes: 

High schoolers: 

G., a high school senior 
D., a high school junior 
E., a high school freshman 
L., a high school freshman 

Middle Schoolers: 
G., sixth grader  
L., sixth grader 

Elementary Schoolers: 
J., fifth grader 

Here’s what they had to say. 

From our middle and high schoolers: 

What makes you excited or happy about going back to school? 

• I get to see my friends 

• I’m excited to see my friends and meet new people 

• Being able to see friends I am only able to really hang out with at school. 

• Making new friends 

What do you want your teachers to know about you? 

• I don’t like to be called on in front of everyone, I get very anxious because I am shy and would rather show I know the answer another way. 

• Me being deaf in my left ear. 

• I’m a good student and I want them to like me.  

• I don’t like talking in front of the class when I’m new and sometimes I don’t know the answer. 

Is there anything you’re nervous about? 

• Bullies 

• I’m nervous about meeting new people 

• Making new friends 

• What if the teachers don’t help me enough? 

What would you tell other students about the first day of school? 

• I’m a weird kid. (with a happy, funny face) Like I have weird interests but weird is cool. 

• It can feel new or scary for some people and the teachers know that, so they try their hardest to help them get familiar with things. 

• I’m kinda shy so last year I didn’t make new friends until the second day of school and that’s ok. 

Do you have any advice for staying calm and handling new situations and new teachers? 

• Don’t get involved in the drama. 

• Just know that people there have your back and everyone else probably feels the same way – nervous and trying to stay calm. 

• Try to focus on one thing at a time. Trying to do an entire big thing can cause you to stress out. 

• It can be hard because sometimes kids are mean. 

• No cussing. That’s not good. Also, don’t eavesdrop.  

• Don’t be shy. Try talking to people and compliment them. Say you like their hair. Also ask a teacher if you don’t know where to go or what to do.  

Favorite class at school? 

• Social Studies 

• My favorite class is probably English 

• Chemistry or Computer Science 

• Choir 

• Math and lunch 

Do you think you’ll have homework on the first day?  

• Yes (with a sad face) 

• I probably will have homework on the first day 

• Probably 

• No because they’ll know I’m new. 

Do you have your outfit picked out for the first day? 

• YAH! I have had to wear a uniform the last 5 years and I wrote a letter to the lawmaker people about it. 

• I do have an outfit! 

• No, I don’t usually wear something special for the first day of school. 

• We have uniforms and at first I wasn’t stoked but now I am. 

• Uniforms and I was worried that I had to wear the collar up and I felt like a vampire. But then they said I could fold the collar.  

Who are you most excited to see on the first day?  

• Shhh, my bestie! (but I don’t want to hurt my other friend’s feelings because we are close too!) 

• My boyfriend!🥹 

• Probably my friends. 

What’s the first thing you do when you get home from school?

• Relax and draw 

• Tell my parents about my day 

• I put up my bag, relax for a little, and then do my chores. 

• Probably have a snack and then go to dance class. 

• Make a snack. I like making snacks for my family. Like frozen bananas. And I like to watch TV or play my Switch. 

From our elementary schoolers: 

What makes you excited or happy about going back to school? 

• Meeting friends 

What do you want your teachers to know about you? 

• That I am kind 

Is there anything you’re nervous about? 

• Nope (but kind of because I have a lot of anxiety and that I am allergic to shellfish) 

What would you tell other students about the first day of school? 

• It’s not the best feeling but it gets better 

Do you have any advice for staying calm and handling new situations and new teachers? 

• Bring fidgets 

Favorite class at school? 

• Math  

Do you think you’ll have homework on the first day? 

• We usually don’t 

Do you have your outfit picked out for the first day? 

• I do because we have to wear uniforms 

Who are you most excited to see on the first day? 

• R. because he is always kind 

What’s the first thing you do when you get home from school?

• Ride my bike