words of encouragement for students returning to classes.

Whether you are in 6th grade, or a Post graduate student, the purpose if school is to learn. I know sometimes there are a lot of distractions when we go back to school after a nice summer break. Maybe you're afraid you won’t remember all the stuff you learned last year. Don’t worry about that, the rest of your class is worried about the same thing, whether they want to admit it or not. 
Some of you are worried about your image. Will I be cool enough? Will I fit in? Don’t sweat that either. Just remember you are there to learn, and if some if the others don’t realize that, it is their problem. Dorks and Jocks are shown the same material in class, right?
Some of you have an entire new wardrobe for school, and are looking forward to showing it off. Please remember not to look down on those who don’t have a new wardrobe. Fancy new clothes don’t make you learn any better.
When I was a kid, I desperately wanted to fit in. Problem was, I didn’t know how, and I suspect that even if I did, there would still have been others who would neither respect or like me. As I reached High School, I tried to fit in the only way I knew how. I joined as many activities as time would allow. Football, Choir, Debate, Junior Achievement, MYF, etc. I had something going on every day of the week. Know what? Those chosen few, those popular kids, never did accept me as one of their own, and I did these things at the expense of my schoolwork many times. On into my early college years, I did the same things, hung out, partied, focused on activities to try and become accepted, and my grades suffered even more. I missed out on the most important part of school. An education.
Later in life, I realized that those people who rejected me were meaningless in the big picture, and some of them were pretty good people as adults. I also realized that if I had focused on learning instead of tearing my heart apart wanting to be accepted, I would be better off today. My best advice to you all is to learn what you can, and don’t sweat the rest. It will all work out.