5 Tips for a Better Back to School Season
The start of August tends to signal a shift in the carefree days of summer. Some of you may be embarking on last-minute vacations, attending family reunions, or taking one last trip to the local fair, but as summer winds down, families with children are also gearing up for back to school season.
When my children were young, most families dreaded going back to school because it meant a much more structured day and a longer to-do list. Suddenly, mornings became a whirlwind of waking up kids, making lunches, choosing outfits, preparing breakfast, filling out paperwork, and catching buses. Evenings could be just as hectic with homework and sports.
To keep everything in order, I followed a few simple organizing strategies that eased the transition for me and my children. Take a look at the tips below to help you stay organized and reduce stress this back to school season.
1. Create a Routine
If there’s only one back to school tip that you take to heart, it should be to establish and maintain a daily routine. This will help you make sure that everyone gets to school on time with everything they need.
Identifying the differences between your summer and school schedules will shed some light on what needs to change in your current routine. Start by writing down everything that will be different when school starts, including new wake-up times, lunches to be made, bus times, carpools to be scheduled, bedtimes, and homework times.
Then, decide when each task will be completed. If you have multiple children attending separate schools, it may be helpful to pencil it onto a calendar that your entire family can access.
2. Prepare as Early as Possible
Can some of the tasks on your list be completed the night before? I recommend planning ahead and getting your children involved as much as possible, so that you are not scrambling to do it all by yourself in the morning. For example, making lunches is a task that can easily become part of a nighttime routine. Let your children pick out the fruits, vegetables, and dessert that they want to include. Not only will this save you some time, but it will also encourage picky eaters to finish their lunch.
Choosing clothes the night before will also streamline getting dressed in the morning. Older children can lean into their independence and pick out their own clothes, while you help your younger ones lay out an outfit that they can reach when they wake up. It’s a good idea to designate a “bag drop” area, too, preferably near the entrance to your home. Get your family into the habit of leaving backpacks, coats, and shoes near the door, so that they are easy to find, grab, and go in the morning.
3. Use Lists
Creating a routine and preparing early are great ways to get organized initially, but the real challenge is maintaining them consistently throughout the school year. As a professional organizer, I love a good list to keep track of it all!
Young children respond well to lists, as it helps them learn the importance of following instructions, goal setting, and time management. Try to make the list fun and easy to understand by adding artwork or large check boxes to it. Getting teenagers and older children to follow lists may require a little more creativity and unconventional list-making. If your child is always on their phone, consider texting them a list.
After a few weeks of following a list, your family’s new routine will start to become a habit. Daily routines will be more efficient, so you likely won’t be spending as much time on tasks. But that doesn’t mean you should stop making lists! Instead, repurpose the concept and make a list of chores for each child to help out around the house.
4. Plan a Shopping Trip
Back to school shopping is another aspect of this season where lists come in handy. School supplies are everywhere in stores right now, and it can be tempting to pick up a few things here and there whenever you see them. However, it’s also very easy to accumulate a closet full of unused supplies without even realizing it. I highly recommend that you use a list to determine what you actually need before you begin shopping.
If you can, try to obtain a list of supplies from your children’s schools first. Chances are, your children probably have some supplies leftover from last year. There’s no need to buy new ones if the ones they have are still in good condition. You can cross them off your list.
You should also have your children try on their clothes to make sure that everything fits. Keep in mind that the weather is usually warm into October, so most kids will probably wear shorts for the first month or two. Make sure that they have the essentials, but don’t feel compelled to go out and purchase an entire wardrobe, complete with long sleeve shirts and jeans, before school starts. Instead, note the size they wear for fall items and save them on your list for later. When you see a sale on jeans and fall shirts, you will have the list and sizes ready.
Once you have a list of supplies that you need, schedule a shopping day on your calendar. Your list should not only include the items you need to purchase, but also where you will purchase them. Write down the stores you plan to visit in a logical order, and itemize your list according to location. Don’t forget to set a budget ahead of time, too! Having a plan and a budget will make shopping a breeze.
5. Prioritize Paperwork
During the first few weeks of school, it might feel like you’re drowning in reading lists, forms to fill out, homework assignments, and papers about important dates. The amount of paperwork and new information can be overwhelming.
The best way to control it is by addressing it the day that it comes home with your child. After dinner, go through your child’s backpack with them, complete any forms, and return them to the backpack. I strongly advise against letting paperwork stack up all week and waiting to fill out everything in one evening. Schools usually prioritize the importance of the paperwork, so addressing it daily will keep you from feeling swamped.
Consider College Needs
For those of you with children starting college, these tips may require some adaptation for your family. Shopping for dorm rooms can be expensive and time-consuming. Some stores and schools offer move-in checklists, but, speaking from experience, I know that they sometimes include items that your child won’t really need or use. Many items can be purchased online, or even secondhand, for less. It can also be helpful to get insight from friends and extended family members who have recently been through the experience.
Just remember that every college is a little different, in terms of meal plans, laundry options, and other student experiences. Boys and girls may have different needs in a dorm room, too. For example, some students may require a lot of storage for a large wardrobe, while others may be planning to bring a more limited wardrobe. Most colleges and universities have a parent orientation, which is a good opportunity to learn about your child’s living options.
With so much information swirling around in your new college student’s mind, they likely won’t remember everything that they are told at the student orientation. While you should be there to support them, make sure that your child is involved in the decision-making process. Your child is the one who will be living there every day, so their preferences and opinions are extremely important.
Move-in day is usually filled with a mix of emotions, from excitement to stress to worry and anxiety. Try to relax and stay focused on what needs to get done in order for your child to settle into their new home peacefully. Don’t be surprised if they forget something at home. It happens, especially when there are a lot of moving parts and pieces to coordinate. If they do forget something that they need, most items can easily be mailed or ordered for quick delivery.
Whether your children are in elementary school or college, staying organized and flexible is essential for a smooth back to school season. These tips will help you and your family learn how to embrace a new routine and make the start of the school year a little less stressful.
We are always happy to provide additional support, too. Our team can help you create routines, declutter homework stations, organize your entry to make space for your children’s backpacks, and more. Contact us to learn more about how our services can make your family's transition back to school as seamless as possible!