Summer coming to a close means one thing: getting prepared to send the kiddos back to school. It doesn’t matter if you’re an elementary school kid, an adult student, or a parent…getting back into the swing of things is an adjustment for everyone. To help you make the transition from a summer(opens in a new tab) schedule back into the classroom, we’d like to share with you some of our favorite tips for going back to school.
Shift Gears into Scholar Mode
During the summer, it’s great to lounge by the pool, sleep in, and catch up on your favorite TV shows. But as the first day of school approaches, it’s important to shift gears into scholar mode. Try planning a family trip to a local museum, nature center, or science center. Encourage your kids to take notes, study new things, and learn as much as they can.
Adjust Your Sleep Schedule
During summer break, the family’s sleep schedule(opens in a new tab) often shifts. Late nights and sleeping in can become your new routine. While there’s nothing wrong with this schedule, it can become a problem when you suddenly have to wake up at 6 a.m. to get your kids ready for school. Try heading to bed a little earlier every night as the start of school approaches. It’s also helpful to set an alarm to help you wake up earlier each morning.
Create a Calendar
The start of school often means the start of new activities, sports, and after-school clubs. Creating a family calendar is a great way to ensure that you can keep track of everyone’s schedule. Better yet, it also allows you to block off some time to spend with family, as we know the school year can be busy and hectic.
Get Your School Supplies
Most schools send out school supply lists before the year even begins. Stay ahead of the curve and make sure your kids have all the books, notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, and other assorted supplies they need to start the year. Purchasing these items a few weeks in advance will allow you to enjoy the rest of the summer without having to rush around at the last minute.
Put Together Meal Plans
Planning meals ahead saves a lot of valuable time and energy. If your kids bring packed lunches to school, sit down and make a list of the foods they would like to have. Having this list ahead of time will allow you to quickly run to the store and grab the necessary sandwich supplies, fruit, snacks, and drinks to keep your kids fueled during the school day. Having a meal plan(opens in a new tab) is also a great idea for dinner time, especially when schedules get crazy. Put together a list of quick meals, and stock up on food items that won’t spoil so you can easily prep and serve meals without having to make an extra trip to the store.
Prepare for the Next Day Ahead of Time
There’s nothing worse than rushing around at the crack of dawn and trying to get everything organized and ready to go before the bus arrives. Avoid this chaos and prepare for the next day ahead of time. Lay out clothes for the next day, pack lunches the night before, and make sure backpacks are packed with homework and books ahead of time.
