Walk with friends in the same class as you. If you do get lost, it's much more likely that someone in the group will know where you are. You can also help each other gain the confidence to ask someone for directions, which seems much more daunting when you are alone.
Start with the basics. It might be easier to find your form class, the playground, your locker (if you have one) and the lunch hall before you need to find the DT workshop. Often, schools are separated into blocks and corridors for specific departments. Familiarise yourself with the rooms that you need to find most often, such as your English classroom, then memorise which blocks house which subjects so you at least have a rough idea of where your different lessons might be.
Refer to a map. Usually on the transfer days into an academy, you would get a map. If not there may be some dotted around the school. Keep your map with you at all times, and preferably take a photo of it on your phone. Setting the map as your lockscreen for a few weeks can help you become familiar with the school's layout, as you will see it every time you open your phone.
Bear in mind that the classrooms will be in order. C42 is most likely to be next to or nearby C41 and C43.
Pay attention when you get shown around. Find little details which may help you find your way round. Is there lockers J, K and L next to Drama or green cupboards across from the Physics open plan? Take note of the small details.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. It is best to ask a teacher or a pupil with leadership badges (e.g. Vice/House captain, prefect) not all, but some younger pupils might be willing to get you lost so ask an older looking pupil.
Don't panic if you do get lost, just retrace your steps. The teachers won't be angry if it is the first few weeks, and most schools do not issue consequences for lateness in the first few weeks as they know students are still becoming familiar with their surroundings.
Find a link between your classes. Know which classes are nearby to each other and it will make the job easier. If you know how to get from Maths to French to Science then you can find your way from Maths to Science via French.
Look out of the windows. It sounds strange but if you look out of the windows, especially out to a courtyard you can see classes and corridors across from you and on different floors. Also if you look out of the window you may recognize the view and you may find out you are nearby to where you are supposed to be e.g if you look out of the window in the maths block and you see the view of the school playground you may realise that you are a floor above biology, which may be next to the playground so then you know where you are.
Make a list of places you need to get to in an average school week and tick them off when you know how to get to them.
Know some stuff out your school. Find some stuff out about your school. If blocks A and C are not connected on the top two floors or if your school is built on a slope may help you find your way around.
Ask an older sibling to help. They might be able to explain something you don't get about finding your way around.
Don't miss out on visit days. They can help you a lot. Usually somebody will be showing you around the school so don't miss out on the opportunity.
Keep calm. Remember you can never properly get lost in a school, it's never as vast as it seems on your first day, and will become familiar more quickly than you think. If you think you are lost, keep a clear head and think logically, as panicking will only confuse you further. Remember, anyone around you can help to point you in the right direction.
Comments
0 comment