Preparing for Back to School: Tips and Strategies for a Smooth Transition
Preparing for back-to-school can be stressful for both parents and children. Whether it’s your child’s first year of school or they are returning for another year, there are always new challenges to face and new routines to learn. But with the proper preparation, you can make the transition back to school a smooth and successful one for you and your child.
This article will share tips and strategies for preparing for back-to-school, featuring the Erin Condren Back-to-School Collection.
Note: This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here. I’d also like to thank the Erin Condren team for sharing the products featured in this post. All opinions in this post are my own.
Before the school year starts, you can help your child be excited about school by involving them in back-to-school shopping. When you allow your child to be involved in the process, back to school will be more enjoyable for them and help them feel more invested in the upcoming school year.
Overall, preparing for back-to-school requires a combination of planning, organization, and communication. By setting expectations early and creating a routine that works, you can help ensure a successful start to the new school year.
Getting Ready for School
As the new school year approaches, it’s important to start preparing for a successful year. Getting ready for school involves more than just buying new clothes and backpacks. You will need to make sure you have all the necessary school supplies and tools to stay organized and on top of your workload.
School Supplies
Before the first day of school, make a list of all the supplies you will need for each class. Check with teachers to see if they have any specific requirements. Here are some essential school supplies you should consider from the Erin Condren Back to School collection:
- Pens, pencils, and highlighters
- Notebooks
- Reuseable notecards (perfect for weekly spelling and vocab words, terms and definitions)
- Desk Organizers and Accessories
- Ruler
- Academic/Student Planner
See the entire Erin Condren Back to School collection here.
Make sure to label all your supplies with your name or initials to avoid losing them. It’s also a good idea to keep extra supplies at home in case you run out during the school year.
Plan for Success
To stay on top of your assignments and deadlines, consider using a planner or agenda. This will help your child keep track of their schedule and ensure that you don’t miss any important dates. Here are some tips for using a planner effectively:
- Write down all assignments, due dates, and test dates. When my kids were in elementary, I would keep a master school planner with due dates and deadlines so we didn’t miss important assignments and projects.
- Set reminders for upcoming deadlines.
- Use different colors for different subjects to help you stay organized.
- Review your planner regularly to make sure you are staying on track.
By staying organized and prepared, you can start the school year off on the right foot and set yourself up for success.
Organizing the Home
Preparing for back-to-school involves more than buying school supplies and new clothes. Organizing your home is an essential part of ensuring that your child has a successful school year. Here are two ideas on how to manage your home for back-to-school.
Designating a Study Area
One of the most important things you can do to help your child succeed in school is to create a designated study area. This area should be a quiet, distraction-free space where your child can focus on their studies. Here are some tips for creating a study area:
- Choose a space that is well-lit and has good ventilation.
- Make sure the area is comfortable and has a chair and desk that are the right height for your child.
- Keep the area organized by providing storage for books, papers, and school supplies.
- Minimize distractions by removing electronics and other non-school-related items from the area.
- Consider adding a whiteboard or bulletin board to help your child stay organized.
Setting Up a School Routine
Establishing a school routine is essential for helping your child succeed in school. Here are some tips for setting up a school routine:
- Start by setting a regular bedtime and wake-up time to ensure that your child gets enough sleep.
- Create a morning routine that includes time for breakfast, getting dressed, and packing their backpack.
- Set aside time for homework and studying each day, and make sure your child has a designated study area to work in.
- Make a schedule for extracurricular activities and stick to it.
- Encourage your child to take breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout.
- Keep the family schedule organized by hanging a weekly planner on the refrigerator or other visible space that everyone can see and check.
By creating a designated study area and setting up a school routine, you can help your child stay organized and focused throughout the school year.
Academic Preparation
As you prepare for the upcoming school year, help your child focus on their academic goals. Start by reviewing progress from last year. What subjects did they do well in, and what topics need more attention?
Once you have assessed last year’s progress, start setting new goals for the upcoming year.
Review Last Year
Before the year starts, review your child’s progress from last year. What subjects did your child excel in, and which subjects could use some help?
Get an understanding of your child’s academic needs and strengths before the school year starts.
Setting Academic Goals
Another important step of academic preparation is setting goals for the upcoming year. This will help your child stay motivated and focused throughout the year.
The Erin Condren Student Planner is a great place to write and organize your child’s goals for the school year. You can write yearly goals in the beginning on the goal pages and then focus the goals each month on the monthly goals page.
Start by thinking about what you want your child to achieve academically. Do you want them to improve their grades in a particular subject? Do you want to take on more challenging coursework? Do they need to learn better study and project management skills? Once you have a clear idea of the goals, you can work with your child to create a plan to achieve them.
Consider breaking down the goals into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, if the goal is to improve grades in math, you might set a goal to complete all homework assignments on time and attend extra help sessions.
Remember, it’s important to set realistic goals that your child can achieve. Don’t set them up for failure by setting goals that are too ambitious. With hard work and dedication, your child can achieve academic goals and have a successful school year.
Emotional Preparation
Preparing for back to school involves more than just buying new supplies and clothes. It also involves emotional preparation. Here are some tips to help you and your child prepare emotionally for the upcoming school year.
Addressing Anxiety
Starting a new school year can be stressful for children. If your child is feeling anxious, it’s important to address their concerns and help them feel more comfortable. Here are some ways to help address anxiety:
- Listen to your child: Encourage your child to talk about their worries and listen to them. Acknowledge their feelings and let them know that it’s normal to feel nervous about starting a new school year.
- Visit the school: Take your child to the school before the first day to help them become familiar with the surroundings. This can help reduce anxiety and make them feel more comfortable.
- Talk to the teacher: If your child is feeling anxious about a specific class or teacher, talk to the teacher and let them know. They may be able to provide additional support or accommodations.
- Write in a journal: give your child a journal and encourage them to write their feelings about the school year. Let them write about if they feel anxious or excited. After school starts, remind them to write their best memories in their journal.
Building Excitement
While it’s important to address anxiety, it’s also important to build excitement about the new school year. Here are some ways to help your child feel excited about going back to school:
- Plan fun activities: Before the first day of school, plan some fun activities that will help your child feel excited about the upcoming school year.
- Set goals: Help your child set goals for the upcoming school year. This can help them feel motivated and excited about what’s to come.
- Get involved: Encourage your child to get involved in extracurricular activities. Try to find one activity your child enjoys, such as sports or a club. This can help them make new friends and feel more connected to the school community.
By addressing anxiety and building excitement, you can help your child prepare emotionally for the upcoming school year. Remember to listen to your child’s concerns, visit the school, talk to the teacher, plan fun activities, set goals, and get involved in extracurricular activities.
Communication
Effective communication is key to ensuring a successful back-to-school transition. Establishing contact with your child’s teacher and staying involved in school activities can help you stay informed and support your child’s academic and social success.
Establishing Contact with Teachers
It’s important to establish contact with your child’s teacher early on in the school year. This can help you stay informed about your child’s progress and address any concerns that may arise. Here are some tips for establishing contact with your child’s teacher:
- Attend back-to-school night or parent-teacher conferences
- Introduce yourself to the teacher and express your interest in being involved
- Exchange contact information, including email and phone number
- Ask about the best way to communicate with the teacher and their preferred method of contact
- Follow up with the teacher regularly to stay informed about your child’s progress
Staying Involved in School Activities
Staying involved in school activities can help you stay informed about school events and support your child’s academic and social success. Here are some ways to stay involved:
- Join the PTA or other parent organizations
- Attend school events, such as performances and sporting events
- Volunteer in your child’s classroom or at school events
- Stay informed about school policies and procedures by reading newsletters and other school communications
- Communicate regularly with your child about their school experiences and any concerns they may have
By establishing contact with your child’s teacher and staying involved in school activities, you can help ensure a successful back-to-school transition for your child. Remember to communicate regularly with your child’s teacher and stay informed about school events and policies to support your child’s academic and social success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are some steps I can take to prepare my child for going back to school?
You can take several steps to prepare your child for going back to school. About a week or two before school begins, start establishing a routine, setting a bedtime schedule, laying out your child’s clothes, and setting a morning routine.
You can also shop for back-to-school supplies, organize and label supplies, and practice what’s expected of your child. Make sure your child knows what they need each day. Demonstrate actions and practice with them, using positive reinforcement when they do it properly.
How can I mentally prepare myself for the start of a new school year?
Mentally preparing yourself for the start of a new school year can be challenging, but there are some things you can do to help ease your anxiety. Start by setting realistic expectations for yourself, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect. You can also try to stay organized and make a to-do list to help you stay on track. It’s also essential to take care of your physical and mental health by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
What are some things I can do to get ready for school quickly?
Getting ready for school quickly can be a challenge, but there are some things you can do to streamline the process. Start by laying out your clothes the night before, packing your backpack, and organizing your supplies. You can also try to wake up a little earlier to give yourself more time in the morning. It’s also a good idea to have a designated spot for your keys, phone, and other essentials so you don’t waste time searching for them in the morning.
What should I do before the first day of school?
Before the first day of school, spend a little time preparing for the the first day. No one likes surprises, especially not kids and teens. So be sure to review each child’s schedule and make sure they know the class schedule and locations.
For middle school and high school, use this in-planner dashboard with room numbers, teacher name, class, and start/end times. Don’t skip orientation. Take time to meet your teachers and classmates before the first day of school.
The night before, make one last check to confirm you have all the necessary supplies, including textbooks, notebooks, paper, and pens. Finally, make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before heading off to school.
How can I make my morning routine more efficient when preparing for school?
Getting back into the morning routine efficiently can be a challenge, but there are some things you can do to streamline the process. Start by waking up a little earlier to give yourself more time in the morning. You can also try to lay out your clothes the night before, pack your backpack, and organize your supplies.
Have a designated spot for backpacks, lunch boxes, PE or sports equipment, phones, house keys, and other essentials so you don’t waste time searching for them in the morning.
Last, set boundaries to limit distractions. Limit time on phones or electronics or remove them from the morning routine so everyone can focus on getting ready for school.