By Faith Aged 15 (guest blogger)

My experience with school was a rollercoaster of emotions. Some days, I was excited and motivated, while other days left me questioning my decision to go.

When I first decided to try out school, I was ecstatic and intrigued by the idea. As someone who was previously home-educated, my learning was always a one-to-one experience. I could go at my own pace and learn in the way that suited me best. School, however, was a different story. I quickly realised that lessons were often tailored to the slowest learners in the class, which made the pace feel slow and sometimes boring. Interestingly, I found that the academic aspect was easier than I anticipated, as much of the lesson time was spent on non-academic activities like taking the register. Homework was more frequent, but since I was used to studying independently, this wasn’t a challenge.

Starting in Year 10 was difficult but not impossible. Luckily, I already knew a few people from the school and was friends with them. Still, being around so many strangers all the time was overwhelming.

Whether you’ve chosen to return to school or are required to, you must be prepared for a vastly different environment. In home education, the focus is entirely on you and your unique learning needs. In school, however, lessons are generalised. You might find the experience harder, or you might find it easier. If it’s tough, don’t worry—you can always do extra work at home to stay on track.

School involves a lot of interaction with other people, and you’ll likely face group projects and class presentations. Be prepared to manage any anxiety these activities might bring. Whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert, there will be moments of discomfort, and my best advice is to accept these moments and keep pushing forward.

School is going to be challenging, and you might feel like giving up at times, but don’t. Stay strong and remember that school can better prepare you for your GCSEs, as teachers have the knowledge and experience to guide you towards success.

School is also an excellent place to develop social skills. Interacting with a variety of people can help you in later life, especially during job interviews. It’s a good way to meet people you might never have encountered if you had continued with home education.

Although socialising is important, it can also be intimidating. If you find it daunting, try my approach: be a spy! Whenever I felt overwhelmed or nervous, I pretended I was on a secret mission, collecting data to report back to base. This fun mental game helped me manage the crowds and kept me entertained when I got bored.

Your home-educated background will likely make you very interesting to other students, who will want to know all about your experience. Although it can be annoying to answer so many questions, it’s understandable—they’re just curious!

If you’re struggling with motivation or feeling apprehensive about school, here are some tips and tricks that Sarah and I have put together to help you:

• Talk to your parents so they know how you feel—don’t keep your feelings to yourself.
• Get involved in choosing a school to attend, if possible.
• Ask the school for a mentor—another student who can help you adjust.
• Familiarise yourself with the school environment before starting. Get a map and visit the school a few times to learn the layout.
• Practise sitting still for long periods at home to prepare for extended classroom sessions.
• Rehearse presentations at home, even if it’s just in front of a mirror. Record yourself to improve your clarity and confidence.
• Understand the testing system and focus on your progress rather than comparing yourself to others.
• Plan for exams well in advance to manage the workload effectively.
• Prepare for large groups by attending group activities before starting school.
• Buy stationery to get into the school mindset—plus, it’s fun!
• Organise your homework with a folder and dividers to prevent feeling overwhelmed.
• Avoid school drama—it’s distracting and never ends well.
• Prioritise good sleep to keep your brain functioning optimally.
• Create a homework schedule and stick to it. Consistent effort will save you from last-minute cramming.

Lastly, keep reminding yourself that all the hard work will be worth it when you pass your GCSEs. You’ll be proud of yourself for sticking with it.

Making Home Ed Life a Little Easier’s Podcast – Episode 9 Interview with Faith, What is home educating like for young people?