We all dread the first day of school or a new job, unless you're one of the lucky ones who actually look forward to it.

How to survive:

You need to make a good impression. First impressions are usually the most important, so try not to mess up. If you are naturally a shy person (and you no longer want to be the quiet one), this could be the opportunity to be a new person and start afresh.

Be the first person to ask/answer a question if you want to seem confident. Plaster a friendly smile on your face, and look people in the eye. Avoid staring down at your shoes & take a step out of your comfort zone. Keep a bottle of water near you at all times, in case you get super nervous and you need to distract yourself.

You don't need to always be talking. And it's okay if you stumble over a few words. Making new friends can take time, so don't feel bad if things don't turn out exactly how you hoped.

Be kind, help others & remember that your opinions matter. If you are having a debate, speak out!

But most importantly, enjoy your time at your new school/job. Think of the positives, not the negatives. You're probably going to be there for quite a long time.

If you are starting something new soon: good luck!

What are your tips?

~Fizzy