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Back to school: Twitter trend #TipsForYear7s highlights ups and downs of classroom life ahead of new year

It is back to school today and tomorrow for thousands of kids across Manchester and, of course, the country.

And for some the day holds a lot more dread, anxiety and excitement than for others as they will be taking their first steps down the corridors of secondary school.

The start of Year Seven brings never-ending newness – a new school, new uniforms, new friends, new enemies, new lessons, a new slog from the bottom to the top of the school hierarchy and, to cap it all, a new Twitter trend.

Locally, nationally and worldwide, the older and (not necessarily) wiser have been offering their #TipsForYear7s.

The advice given is both useful if you’re one of those embarking on their high school adventure and nostalgic if you’ve left those fearful days behind but, most importantly, want a good laugh.

For example, we will all, at least after today, remember that from the placement of their trousers Year Sevens’ waists appear to be directly below their armpits and the giant bags with tiny straps.

Danyaal Nurgat said: “Your pants don’t need to reach your nipples you know.”

And the group School Memories tweeted: “George shoots Lennie and your backpack is too big.”

Some chose to gear their tips towards specific lessons with many focusing on the insistence of every English teacher to make nothing mean something.

For others it was the world-famous DJ button that warranted a mention.

Lucy said: “Teachers love it when you press the DJ button on the keyboards in music lessons.”

But according to tweeters no subject required as much forewarning as PE, because every teenager knows whether there is sunshine, rain, wind or snow there will be a PE lesson and you will go to the ends of the earth to avoid it.

Chelsea explained the horrors of the bleep test: “If you know there will be a bleep test, skip the lesson. Dear God, skip the lesson! There is nothing worse than a bleep test.”

And Jade Atkinson demonstrated the extreme weather you will probably have to do hurdles or long jump in.

However, there is hope yet, as sick notes and signatures can always be forged.

As Moy said: “Learn your parent‘s signature like your life depends on it because it does.”

The only other thing as important to anyone in secondary school as how to get out of a PE lesson is their popularity and this can be a tough one to master when you’re just starting out.

To help you along Ellie Dodd said: “It is not acceptable for your mum or dad to stand at the school gates to pick you up, simply walk to the car or get the bus.”

There will of course be some rivalries that are completely unavoidable and entirely not your fault, just you’re in Year Seven and that puts you on the bottom rung of the school social ladder.

Arron Simpson said: “Don’t sit at the back of the bus, you haven’t earned that right until at least year 10.”

Don’t expect all your worries to disappear by next September either.

Ellie said: “Even if you’re in year eight now we still hate you.”

But remember you will then have the new Year Sevens to torment so it’s not all doom and gloom.

Your classmates provide a whole new and exciting group of people to make friends with and you will make some great friends. Well, as long as you follow the guidance of people like Joshua Murphy.

He said: “If you’re having trouble making friends just take out a pack of gum.”

As opposed to being led astray by Jacob Murray, who said: “Remind your teacher about homework. Trust me the whole class will love you and you’ll be so popular.”

As well as friendship, there will be romance. Yes, romance. Once secondary school comes around, girls no longer have ‘cooties’ and boys no longer smell.

In fact boys might still smell, but even if they do, girls you might want to be careful who you turn down because of it.

Samantha stated: “Be nice to all boys because this happens…”

We at MM are not quite sure how to take Olaf Falafel’s advice though. Girls do tend to love a maverick, but this might not go down well with anyone else.

He said: “Insist on doing every class in your pants and vest, not just PE – the chicks love a maverick.”

All in all, as with most things, Year Seven will be one of ups and downs but even if things are tough just remember that by the end of it you will be one step closer to finishing school, moving to university, being an adult and getting a job (and all the joys they bring).

To best pave the way into your life beyond secondary school, although it may be hard to even imagine for now, why not spend some of your time this year planning for the future?

Sam Teesdale said: “Don’t post anything on your timeline, your friends will like it four years later and you’ll regret your entire existence.” 

While Ed O’Meara added: “Don’t know anything? No probs. Find someone who does and make them do your work for you. Grownups call this consultancy.”

And Johnny Gallagher offered this corker: “Pay attention in Maths. Not a day goes by where I don’t have to use Pythagoras’ theory, or work out the value of x.”

Image courtesy of Ignat Gorazd, with thanks

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