The Great British Bake Off: How to overcome new challenges

September may have been a big month for you, especially if you’ve recently started at a new school. It's also been time of new beginnings on The Great British Bake Off, as TV chef Nigella Lawson steps into the famous tent as a brand-new judge.

Ahead of the new series, which airs every Tuesday from 22 September, Nigella admitted she was feeling: "A bit nervous, very excited and extremely happy". New challenges can be exciting, but if like Nigella, you are also feeling a bit anxious or unsure about any of the new situations you're facing at school, then scroll down for our oven-baked tips to overcome challenges in school.

How do I settle in at school?

Perfection isn't always possible and 'soggy bottoms' are allowed, especially if you've recently started in Year 7 or S1. Moving into a new year group brings with it new expectations and challenges to overcome and it can take time for you to settle into a routine at school, and that's okay.

We recently spoke to Dr Amir about starting back at school. He says that you don't have to be perfect, and suggests that you can keep on top of your new workload by staying organised. Dr Amir suggests using a planner, doing homework in smaller chunks and asking teachers for help when you need it. Remember nobody gets everything right straight away, Dr Amir says you should: "take a breath and focus on small steps".

How do I prepare for school?

Just as Bake Off contestants spend time preparing ingredients and planning for their Showstopper Challenge, you can spend time doing the same ahead of the school day. Preparation can help you feel less stressed, so that when you do face bigger challenges you are as prepared as you can be with the basics.

Routines in school can make things feel more normal and a bit more reassuring. If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed in the first couple of months of school, then try to pack your bag the night before, using your timetable to check you have everything you need for the next day. You’ll most likely need to check you have all your books, homework, stationery and equipment for your lessons. This will help you have a less stressful start to your day, helping keep you calm to face some of the bigger challenges the school day may send your way.

You can discover more tips about getting into a good secondary school routine here.

When to start revising?

On your marks, get set… BAKE! Whilst many of the Bake Off contestants rush to start their bakes, you should remain level-headed as you start your studies, especially if you are in Year 11, S4 or S5. TikTok teacher, Tommy T recommends taking your exam year seriously as early as you can, and has given us some tips to help as you prepare for mock exams, GCSEs and Scottish exams. He says: "Revising little and often is much easier to stick to, (rather) than waiting for a massive revision session that never happens."

We have some more tips about breaking up your study effectively from learning scientist Dr Carolina. This can help you space out your revision throughout the school year, reinforcing and consolidating the things you have learned.

How do I make friends at school?

Bake Off contestants usually get on like peas in a pod (although typically peas are rarely found in Victoria sponges!) but it can take time for friendships to form. If you've recently started at a new school, it can sometimes take a little bit of time for you to make new friends. Friendship groups can also change as you go through the school years.

If you are facing a friendship challenge, then our expert teacher Chloe Vethamony recommends joining a club. Chloe says: "If you're all about football, drama, art, or anything in between, secondary school clubs are where it's at. They're a fantastic way to bond with like-minded people and meet new friends." If your school doesn't offer any clubs that you are interested in, you could try a youth centre instead. They create safe, welcoming spaces where you can be yourself, build confidence and have someone to talk to, which can have a huge impact on your wellbeing.

How do I manage homework deadlines at school?

Just as the Bake Off contestants have a set time to complete their challenges, you will have deadlines to meet when it comes to homework. These deadlines can often be challenging and might very different from primary school, and no matter how organised you are, there are always unexpected things that pop up.

Our Homework Helpline Heroes told us that it's a good idea to try and do all your homework on the day it’s set, but that might not always be possible, so they recommend making a weekly plan for when you’ll do your homework which will help you to make sure it’s all completed by the time it’s due in.

You can find out more about how to make timetables for your homework and manage deadlines here.

If you need support

You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.

If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.