10 tips for starting at a new school

By ReachOut Content Team
Published 07 September 2023

This can help if you:

  • have a teenager starting at a new school

  • are nervous about your teenager's transition to a new school

  • want to support your teenager moving schools

a girl in school uniform walking down a path smiling with a backpack over her shoulder

Guide your teen through with our top ten tips for starting high school or moving to a new school.

  1. Be positive about the transition - Build excitement by talking about all the new opportunities for friendships and activities they’ll have.

  2. Practice the new trip to school – It might sound silly, but practicing the walk or bus/train trip beforehand will really reduce first day nerves.

  3. Arrange a chat with an older teen who’s been through it – If there’s a neighbour or cousin who’s started at a new school in the past organise for them to hang out and hear what it was like.

  4. Make sure everything is organised – Uniform, books and bag are essentials for starting at a new school so help them sort it all out before day one.

  5. Start afresh with a tidy room and desk – If their desk or room is shared make sure the rest of the family are on board with keeping things sorted.

  6. Farewell the holidays - Organise a social day just before school goes back to farewell and, if possible, invite friends from their old school.

  7. Don’t commit too early – It sounds strange, but with the stress of making friends at a new school it’s easy to jump at the first people that speak to you. Encourage your teen to be social and not rush getting a new best friend. Good things come to those who wait!

  8. Avoiding comparing the new to the old – Get your teen to look to the future even if they’re missing their old school a bunch.

  9. Sign up to things straight away - Research extra-curriculars and help them decide on some they’ll sign up to in their first week.

  10. Prepare them for stress - The unknown can be really scary, but things like breathing exercises, getting active, and having "me-time" can all help with the transition.

Did you find what you needed?

ReachOut home
        Aboriginal flagTorres Strait islander flagRainbow flagAustralian flag

        We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

        We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

        ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

              Aboriginal flagTorres Strait islander flagRainbow flagAustralian flag

              We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

              We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

              ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

              © ReachOut Australia 2024