10 Ways to Mentally Prepare for Term 3 – At Home and at School
The school holidays are winding down. And while some students are excited to reunite with friends and routines, many are feeling the familiar tension:
Early mornings. Homework. Pressure. Social stress. Performance anxiety.
For parents, caregivers, and educators, Term 3 can feel like the toughest stretch of the academic year. Energy is dipping, yet expectations keep rising. It’s a term that often demands stamina — not just from students, but from the adults around them too.
So how do we prepare for it?
Not just logistically — but mentally, emotionally, and energetically?
Here are 10 ways to help young people — and the grownups supporting them — enter Term 3 with a mindset rooted in calm, clarity, and care.
1. Reflect Before You Reset
Before diving into new goals, pause and reflect:
What worked well in Term 2?
What challenges stood out?
What did your child/student need more (or less) of?
Reflection grounds us in reality — so we don’t repeat patterns or carry old stress into the new term.
Try it: Ask your child or class, “What was the hardest part of last term? What was the most fun?”
2. Ease Back Into Routine — Slowly
Don’t flip the switch from late nights to 6am wake-ups in one go. In the last week of holiday, begin adjusting:
Bedtime and wake-up gradually
Meal times
Screen limits
This soft landing helps the body and brain adapt — and reduces the shock to the nervous system.
3. Create a Calm, Clear Prep Space
Whether at home or school, the physical environment impacts mental focus. Use the last few days of break to reset:
Tidy up study areas or desks
Restock stationery or notebooks
Create a calendar with important Term 3 dates
When your surroundings are clear, your mind can be too.
4. Talk About Emotions — Not Just Schedules
Many learners are secretly anxious about returning to school. Instead of just listing what needs to be packed or bought, ask:
“How are you feeling about the new term?”
“What’s something you’re nervous about?”
“Is there anything we can do differently this time?”
Listening without trying to fix builds emotional safety and trust.
5. Set Realistic, Personal Goals
Help your child or class choose one or two small, meaningful goals for Term 3.
Examples:
“I want to raise my maths mark by 5%.”
“I want to ask more questions in class.”
“I want to go one week without missing homework.”
Keep the focus on progress, not perfection.
6. Prioritise Movement and Play
As pressure builds in Term 3, so do mental health risks: burnout, anxiety, and withdrawal.
Schedule time for:
After-school movement (walks, sports, dance)
Unstructured play (especially for younger learners)
Family or class games that spark laughter and connection
A balanced nervous system leads to better behaviour and learning.
7. Practice Saying “No” to Overload
If your child or your classroom is already full, avoid piling on every opportunity. Ask:
“Does this bring value — or just more stress?”
“Are we doing this to impress others, or because it supports our goals?”
Protecting rest time, creativity, and joy is a form of preparation.
8. Build In Emotional Checkpoints
Once Term 3 begins, don’t wait until meltdown mode to talk about stress.
Use regular check-ins:
Home: 10-minute evening conversations about the day
School: Weekly class circles or journaling sessions
Personal: Encourage learners to track their mood with a colour system or short sentence
Checking in often helps catch emotional strain early.
9. Make Gratitude a Daily Habit
Gratitude isn’t just “positive thinking.” It’s a proven tool to rewire the brain away from survival mode.
Create simple rituals:
“What’s one thing that went right today?”
“What made you feel proud this week?”
“What’s something small that felt good?”
This builds mental resilience for tough days.
10. Remind Everyone: Progress Looks Different for Everyone
Some students will come back ready to thrive. Others may return carrying anxiety, grief, or fear — often invisible.
Support looks like:
Patience with learners who struggle to engage at first
Celebrating non-academic wins (emotional growth, effort, kindness)
Keeping expectations high but human
Every learner’s journey through Term 3 will be unique — and that’s okay.
Final Thoughts: Preparation is an Act of Care
Preparing for Term 3 isn’t just about books and uniforms. It’s about:
Helping learners feel emotionally safe
Giving them tools to manage pressure
Creating routines that support focus and joy
Offering steady support when things get hard
At School of Hard Knocks, we’ve seen time and time again:
When a young person feels seen, supported, and understood — they rise.
Let this term be one of compassion-led learning, for everyone involved.
Want to support a student’s mental wellbeing this term?
Donate to sponsor a coaching or lay counselling session
Partner with SOHK to bring mental health programmes to your school
Volunteer your time, presence, or skills