Whether you are starting your first year of secondary school, preparing for the CE1D (the end of lower secondary exam in French-speaking schools) or beginning your final year, a new school year is always a fresh start. It is the time to build on better foundations, improve the way you work and feel more at ease in class. Here are the keys to starting your year well, without getting swamped in the first few weeks.
Why the start of the year matters so much
The first days often seem calm. That calm is misleading. Homework, tests and assignments arrive quickly, often all at once.
In the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, the school year follows a rhythm of about seven weeks of lessons followed by two weeks of holidays. The first block, from the start of the year in late August to the autumn break, goes by fast, and the first tests come before the holidays.
Building good habits from September does not require being top of the class. It is a matter of strategy: a student who plans a little ahead often goes through the year with less stress than a brilliant student who feels overwhelmed.
Starting first year of secondary: what changes
If you are coming from primary school, a lot is new at the same time:
- one teacher per subject, each with their own habits and expectations;
- changing classrooms between lessons, and a timetable that varies from day to day;
- more subjects, more notes to keep in order and more homework;
- a school planner that you fill in yourself, lesson after lesson.
It is normal to feel a bit lost in the first weeks. The feeling fades faster the earlier you get organised.
1. Get organised with a tool that suits you
There is no single right method. School planner, paper diary, phone app, wall chart: what matters is having a clear view of what you need to do, and by when.
Then make a simple schedule. Set fixed times in the week for your homework and revision, at the same time each day if possible.
Think about your exams now too. Write down their dates as soon as you know them: they come sooner than you think.
2. Work a little every day
The work you do at home weighs heavily in your results. It is not the only factor, but it is the one you have the most control over. And regularity counts more than quantity: twenty minutes a day going over the material beats three hours the night before the test.
Rereading in the evening what you saw in class helps you remember it. Studying for a test then becomes revision rather than discovery. To learn more about how to study, read our 5 tips for studying and passing your exams.
3. Keep your notes in order
A large part of the work happens in class. Pay attention and take clear notes: you will save a lot of time when it is time to study.
A few simple habits help you organise your courses:
- a binder with dividers for each subject;
- a formula sheet for maths and science;
- vocabulary lists for your language classes;
- summaries and timelines for history or geography.
If you were absent or your notes are incomplete, catch up from a classmate straight away. And pack your bag the night before, with the next day’s timetable in front of you.
If you feel your way of working is not paying off, study skills coaching teaches you how to get organised and study more effectively.
4. Create distraction-free work time
You do not need to be focused all the time. You need moments that really count. If you keep jumping from your homework to your phone, then to a video, then to a notification, you can spend two hours “working” and remember nothing.
Try short, complete work sessions instead:
- a clear desk, with only what you need;
- your phone in another room, or at least on silent and out of sight;
- 25 minutes of focused work, then a real break of a few minutes.
At school, the question is partly settled: since September 2025, recreational smartphone use has been banned in schools in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, and Flanders has introduced its own ban. At home, it is up to you to find your balance. Our article on the impact of social media on students’ lives will help you see more clearly.
5. Set yourself a personal goal
Working “just to get marks” is not always enough to keep you motivated. A goal that means something to you gives you a real reason to keep going. For example:
- feeling at ease in maths tests;
- daring to take part more in class;
- passing your CE1D or your year without resits.
This goal can change during the year. What matters is having a direction, and noticing your progress along the way.
6. Move, unwind and get enough sleep
To concentrate, your brain also needs a break. The World Health Organization recommends that young people aged 5 to 17 get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, on average: team sports, swimming, dancing, cycling or simply walking to school, it all counts.
Sleep matters just as much. It is during the night that your memory consolidates what you learned during the day. Switching off screens a little before bed and going to sleep at regular times will help you be on form in class.
7. Be honest with yourself and ask for help early
A bad mark or a forgotten assignment happens to everyone. Rather than hiding the problem, look at what happened and what you can change.
Moments of tiredness and discouragement are normal too. They often come from a lack of sleep, a study method that no longer works, or worries outside school. The most important thing is not to stay alone with it.
Several people can help you:
- your parents, or an adult you trust;
- your form teacher, a teacher or a supervisor at your school;
- your school’s PMS centre (CLB in Dutch-speaking schools), free and confidential;
- a coach, to catch up in a subject or work on your study method.
Asking for help is smart. And the earlier you do it, the easier it is: a difficulty spotted in October is much easier to fix than in May.
A coach to start your year well
Since 2003, My Sherpa has supported students with private tutoring in secondary school, at home anywhere in Belgium or online. An educational advisor works with your family to choose the coach who suits you, for a specific subject or to learn how to get organised.
Nobody expects you to be perfect from the first day. But the right decisions made now will keep you from feeling overwhelmed later. The year is long: you might as well start on the right foot.
