"What I wish I had known for the first day of school"

It's probably a little late to give advice now for the younger kids, for whom the first day of school was yesterday, but older kids don't officially start until Monday, so have a chance to reflect on what they didn't do on their first day, compared to what they should've done, so they know how to do it better this time around.

To help you out, here are some tips from Young Observer reporter, Allanna Bean, entering her second year at The Berkeley Institute this September

Rule #1: When the school sends you a list of the things you're going to need, make sure only to get the basic materials. Otherwise you'll end up with a LOT of unused things.

Rule #2: On your first day of school make sure your backpack is light. All you really need for the first day are your pens and pencils, and one notebook.

By the end of the day your bag will be loaded with books given out at school, so if you go to school with a heavy backpack, expect some major back ache by the end of the day.

Rule #3: First days of school, or as I like to call them "suck up days", are all about just that, sucking up.

Everyone should know that if you start with a good foot, you end on a good foot.

Rule #4: First impressions are the best impressions. Go to school with a good attitude; the teachers will take a liking to you. (P.S. that doesn't dub you a teacher's pet.)

Rule #5: It's best to just be yourself, or if "yourself" is rude, you should at least try to be on your best behaviour on the first day.

Rule #6: It's best to pay attention on the first day. You can have all your "friend time" during lunch or after school.

Rule #7: Make sure you have goals set up from the first day, so that you can work towards them during the school year.

Good Luck on your first day!