Summer is ending, and school is coming soon. How do you switch from lazy days to busy ones without going crazy? 🚌
Last year, I forgot our back-to-school list. Our school stuff was everywhere, and mornings were crazy. This year, I found some great tools to help us get ready for school.
Here are 15 must-have tools for easy back-to-school planning.
Key Takeaways
- Get control over your entryway to reduce morning chaos.
- Create a practical family command center for easy school year preparation.
- Stock up on essential school supplies to keep everything in place.
- Set up a dedicated study space to enhance productivity.
- Utilize labels and organizational tools to streamline your daily routines.
Get Your Entry in Order
Setting up an organized entryway can make your daily school routine smoother. Think about how often you lose your child’s jacket or backpack in the morning rush. An orderly entryway can help make these moments easier.
Use Hooks for Jackets and Backpacks
Installing hooks for jackets and backpacks is a smart move. This way, each family member has their own spot. It keeps these items easy to find and off the floor, cutting down on clutter and morning stress.
Mount the hooks at a height that kids can reach. This encourages them to be more independent and responsible.
Decorative Bins for Accessories
Decorative bins are also a great choice for keeping things organized. They’re perfect for storing gloves, hats, scarves, and umbrellas.
Put them in your entryway to keep everything ready to go while keeping your space tidy.
Decorative bins come in many styles, so you can pick ones that match your home.
Here’s a quick comparison of organization tools for entryways:
| Tool | Purpose | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Hooks | Hanging jackets and backpacks | Keeps items accessible and off the floor |
| Decorative Bins | Storing accessories | Maintains a clutter-free space |
Create a Family Command Center
Organizing a busy home is tough, but a family command center can really help. As a mom of three, I’ve seen it change everything. It makes mornings less crazy and helps us all stay on track.
Acrylic Wall Calendar
An acrylic wall calendar is great for keeping track of dates and school stuff. It lets your kids see what’s coming up. Plus, it looks good in any room, making your command center useful and nice.
Mail Organizer
It’s easy to let mail pile up. But with a mail organizer, you can keep everything tidy. It helps with school supply organization and makes sure you don’t lose important papers.
Hooks for Keys
Have you ever looked everywhere for your keys? Adding brass hooks to your command center fixes that. It’s a simple way to keep mornings running smoothly and everyone on time.
These ideas will make your home more organized and less stressful. They help with school stuff and planning, making your family’s life easier.
Stock Up on School Supplies
Getting ready for school is exciting but can feel overwhelming. I always suggest making a detailed school supply list. This guide helps you not miss anything, making shopping easier.
In our home, colored pencils, markers, and scissors are must-haves. Putting these in a rotating caddy helps a lot. Each supply has its own spot, so my kids can easily find what they need without clutter.
Like me, you might like a structured way to shop for school. This method lets you see what you have and what you need. It saves you from last-minute shopping trips.
Here’s a quick look at my favorite supplies for your checklist:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Colored Pencils | For art projects and colorful notes |
| Markers | Great for making vibrant posters and highlights |
| Scissors | Kid-safe scissors for all those cut-and-paste activities |
| Notebooks | Multiple subjects, wide-ruled |
| Pens and Pencils | A variety of colors and types for different tasks |
| Binders | Keep loose-leaf papers organized |
| Folders | Separate and organize subjects |
| Glue Sticks | Stick papers and crafts without a mess |
| Erasers | For easy correction and clean work |
| Highlighters | Mark important information |
| Rulers | For drawing straight lines and geometry |
| Index Cards | Perfect for study notes and flashcards |
| Sticky Notes | Quick reminders and bookmarks |
| Pencil Case | Keep writing tools organized |
| Backpack | Carry all supplies with ease |
With this guide and a good supply list, you’ll be ready and organized for school. Happy shopping!
Set Up a Homework Station
Creating a homework station is key for your child’s success. As a busy mom, I know it’s vital to have a spot that helps them focus. Let’s look at how to set up a study space.
Dedicated Study Space
Having a special spot for homework helps your child stay on track. Make sure to keep this space clean and free from distractions. I keep pencils, paper, and a calendar there to help stay organized.
Your station should have a comfy chair and good lighting. This helps with posture and keeps the eyes from getting tired.
Greenery for Motivation
Adding plants to your child’s homework area can help. A small plant or succulent, brings nature inside, improving the space, by boosting focus and lowering stress.
For smaller children put it in an area where it’s not easy to get to but still in eye view.
A good homework station setup changes how your child studies. With a special spot and some greenery, they’ll be more organized and eager to learn.
Label Everything
The start of a new school year is busy, with lots of supplies. Labeling school supplies is a great way to keep things from getting lost. It makes school life easier.
I’m a mom of two, and I know how important labels are. If it doesn’t have a label it’s written in permanent marker.
This makes it easy for teachers to return lost items.
To label school supplies well, use strong and waterproof labels. They last a long time and keep names clear. Some parents use colors or icons for kids who can’t read yet.
Adding labels to your school supplies has many benefits:
- Reduces the chance of losing things
- Makes it easy to know what’s yours
- Helps teachers quickly find lost items
- Helps young kids know their stuff
Try this key organization hack for students. Make sure your child’s school items are labeled. It’s a simple step that helps keep things tidy and lowers stress at school.
Organize Your Desk
Having an organized desk means you’re ready to work well. It helps you focus and do tasks faster. This makes it easier to keep up with your work.
Storage Solutions
Good storage is a must. A five-tier organizer helps put everything in its place. This includes things like notebooks and art stuff. It’s great for students because it saves time searching for things.
- File organizers for papers and assignments.
- Drawer dividers for stationery and small items.
- Shelving units for books and binders.
Clear Desk Space for Productivity
Keeping your desk clean helps you work better. Too much stuff can distract you, especially when you’re doing homework. A clean desk means you can focus better and study well.
- Regularly declutter your desk by removing non-essential items.
- Use cable organizers to keep wires tidy.
- Create a dedicated area for your study materials to prevent overlap with other activities.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Five-Tier Organizer | For storing notebooks, art supplies, and other materials. |
| Drawer Dividers | For organizing stationery and small items. |
| File Organizers | To neatly store papers and assignments. |
| Shelving Units | For books, binders, and larger items. |
| Cable Organizers | To keep wires and cables tidy and manageable. |
Back-to-School Organization
Planning for back-to-school means more than just setting up study areas. With the right tips and ideas, you can make your family’s routines smoother.
Weekly Family Planner
A weekly family planner can change the game for your household. It keeps everyone in sync, cutting down on stress and fights. Every week, write down important dates and tasks together.
Chore Charts
Chore charts make sharing household tasks fair. They teach kids about responsibility and teamwork. We started using them last year and it made our days easier. Adding them to your back-to-school plans helps a lot.
Morning Routine Timers
Morning timers help you leave on time. They keep everyone on schedule, avoiding delays. A timer makes mornings less stressful and more efficient.
These ideas can make your family more efficient as you get ready for school. They’re not just about being organized. They help create a peaceful home where everyone knows what to do.
Conclusion
Getting ready for school means more than just buying things. It’s about making systems and routines that help your kids do well in school. We talked about tools like hooks for jackets and homework stations to keep things tidy.
Having a family command center helped us a lot. It had an acrylic wall calendar and a mail organizer. This made our mornings smoother and less stressful. You can do the same to help your kids do their best in school.
Using these organizational tools does more than get you ready for the first day. It sets up your kids for a great school year. They’ll have a place to focus and learn well at home. And you’ll feel more at ease, knowing everything is organized. Here’s to a year of less stress and more success for everyone.