back to school: helpful tips

Let’s face it: school is the place where you spend a lot of time. And school is not just about schoolwork; it’s about friends and being with people we like. Think about all the things we learn just by hanging out with our friends:

• who’s dating
  
• what is the newest style
  
• what musical artist is hot and who is not
  
• just little things that make us laugh
  
• watching TV and movies
  
• freedom to just hang out, talk on the phone or chat online.

It’s a whole world of connections and learning—as important as class assignments.

When you have been out of school for a period of time because of illness and treatment, it may not be that easy to go back. Hopefully, you were able to stay in touch with friends and school through visits, phone, and e-mail, but that may have been difficult.

When your doctor gives you the "green light" to go back to school, you may have mixed feelings. Many kids worry that they will be behind in class work, that friends may not be welcoming or that teachers won't understand why you may need help catching up.

Click here to join a Group Loop Online Support Group and connect with other teens.

Thanks to Ernest Katz, Ph.D., Julia Challinor, RN, Ph.D., MA. ED., and Mitch Golant, Ph.D. for their permission to use and adapt the above information.