Back-to-school organization tips

Back-to-school season is here and it’s time to start preparing for a successful start of the school year. But that may be easier said than done if you don’t know where to start.

So start right here. Here are a few organizational tips to help you make the transition much smoother and avoid chaos – whether you’re a parent with young kids or a university student. 

Make a calendar

Good calendar skills are essential to staying organized when life gets busy. From physical planners and shared family calendars on the fridge to more modern digital options, there’s a fit out there for every lifestyle. Need to keep track of all the extra-curricular activities? Check. Got a study date? Note it down.

But don’t stop there – time block your day and fill it with tasks you need to complete. Time blocking is a scientifically proven time management method that helps improve your focus and productivity. Our brains love structure, so instead of jumping from one task to another, set aside an hour to finish one task, then move onto the next one. Your brain will thank you in more ways than one. 

Establish routines

People are creatures of habit. Whatever your age, establishing a steady routine will help your brain form healthy habits, so you can focus on your tasks. For young kids, that means creating a consistent morning and evening routine (and if you’re a parent, make sure you have your own separate routines, so you don’t lose your sanity). 

For students, a personal routine is key to balancing academics, social life, and a good mental state. Being a student is stressful, so your best bet is to eliminate stress wherever you can. This means setting a regular sleep schedule (okay, the occasional social call won’t hurt), dedicating specific days to studying, and scheduling time for breaks.

Find your study space

Having a designated study space puts you in the mental space to actually study and do the work. Your space should be tidy and comfortable (not like a bed, but more like a good chair and desk). Make sure there is good lighting and that you have easy access to all the supplies you may need (from pens and notebooks to your computer).

The more you minimize distractions, like having to get up every 5 minutes to get a random item, the more productive you will be.

Break down big tasks

It’s really that simple. Big tasks can seem daunting (and sometimes they haunt your dreams), but breaking them down into smaller tasks makes them more manageable and easier to process. You wouldn't eat an entire loaf of bread at once... that would be a choking hazard. So make your tasks bite-sized.

Say you have a research paper to write and you don’t know where to start – just think of the smaller tasks you need to complete to get to the final product. Research, outline, first draft, edit, proofread, and poof! Before you know it, it’s all done!

Prep the night before

Night-before prep goes hand in hand with good habits, helping you start the morning without unnecessary stress. Pack your backpack or bag and make sure you have all your essentials ready to go. It also helps to pick an outfit the day before, so you don’t have to waste your precious morning minutes on finding that one specific left sock. You know, the one that likes to visit the Bermuda Triangle on a weekly basis.

Label and track essentials

Important things have this really annoying habit of getting lost. But you can prevent the headache in two easy steps. 

One, label all the essentials with your name and contact information, so they can find their way back to you when lost. Easy enough. 

And two, put a Bluetooth tracker, like Chipolo POP, on your belongings and keep tabs on their location through your phone. Trackers are especially useful for daily items, like keys, backpacks, and wallets, and they work really well for finding your phone, too.