Top Back to School Tips for Students & Parents

byJennifer Strimbu

4 min to read
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The start of a new school year often brings a mix of excitement, nerves, and new routines—for both students and parents. Feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to manage the transition? Many families do, but as with any new change, it doesn’t have to be scary. 

Learn some of the most effective practical back-to-school tips to help ease your student’s anxiety and boost their confidence for a successful academic year ahead.

How to Prepare for Back to School

Preparing for the new school year goes beyond shopping for supplies or organizing your list of to-dos. So how do you create an effective back-to-school plan to help your student learn and thrive in school?

Start by implementing tactics before the school year officially begins to help build healthy routines, manage expectations, and reduce stress. 

Tips to Get Kids Ready for Back to School

1. Set up a distraction-free study space

A dedicated, distraction-free study space will help your student focus on their studies, stay organized, and stay motivated. It’s important to set up a comfortable space that is conducive to studying before they start school, so that they can begin associating it with their learning and productivity. This will also help keep them in a routine and introduce more consistency to their schedule. Each day after school, they’ll know where to study and have everything they need all in one place. Start by choosing a spot near a window and personalizing the space with some of their favorite colors. It doesn’t need to be large, or even its own room, but it should be free of distractions like phones, TVs, or loud background noise. Ultimately, you want your student to take pride and ownership in creating a space they love.  

2. Create a strong daily routine and school schedule

A consistent routine is important for kids, especially while they are in school. To get your student back into the routine of the school day, set aside time to create a weekly schedule of all the activities and extracurriculars they have coming up, and leave it in a place where your student will see it every day. Then, work with them to establish a regular bedtime and morning routine that they can stick to as summer break winds down as well as some activities throughout the day to get their brains back on a learning mindset. This will help your student form a new, healthy habit that positively impacts their health. 

By providing your student with a routine that blends both academics and activities, you’re teaching the importance of a healthy school-life balance. In fact, a recent survey found that 76% of students with a strong school-life balance reported having clearer career aspirations, compared to just 29% of students who said a poor school-life balance made it harder for them to plan for their future career. Practicing their new daily schedule before school begins will help students reinforce these healthy habits and feel fresh and ready to learn, instead of trying to adapt and play catch up to their new routine. 

3. Set goals and milestones for the year ahead

It’s important for students to have clear goals and expectations. After all, if they don’t know what they are working toward, how can they achieve it? Identifying goals in your back-to-school plan will help give your student key milestones to meet throughout the school year. Use the weeks before school starts to brainstorm, connect, and agree on what these goals are before the stress of the school day starts. 

Why is this important? Goal setting helps your student develop a sense of accomplishment. Over time, students who set goals learn how to structure their day and work more efficiently without supervision. Start implementing the SMART goal approach to see how your student can benefit from attainable goal making. 

Young female student with her father Learning Coach working on an online assignment.

Tips to Get Parents Ready for Back-to-School

Back-to-school season isn’t just an adjustment for students—it presents challenges for parents, too. Here are some tips to help you prioritize your own involvement and specific examples of ways to support your student.

1. Get involved in your student’s education

Getting involved in your student’s education is a great way to stay connected to their academic journey and school calendar. As part of your own back-to-school planning, take time to pinpoint specific activities and meaningful ways to get involved. Consider reaching out to your student’s school before the year begins to inquire about opportunities like chaperoning field trips or joining the PTA. You can also build excitement by taking your student back-to-school shopping. Make a fun day of it and make a special memory as they put together their back-to-school outfits and get their school supplies together.

2. Make a point to connect with your student’s teacher before the school year begins

Establishing a strong relationship with your child’s teacher early on sets the foundation for a successful school year. A quick email, call, or informal meeting can be the start of a strong relationship between you and your child’s teacher. By connecting before classes begin, you will gain better insight into the curriculum, understand expectations, and learn how to support your student’s learning at home. Building this partnership will also help you stay informed on school resources and support services.  

Be sure to make note of important dates like orientation and back-to-school nights. These events will give you more opportunities to ask questions and stay engaged. If your child has specific learning needs, early communication will also help ensure that their teacher makes any necessary accommodations from the start. Overall, maintaining open lines of communication reinforces the idea that you and your student’s teacher are working as a team to support your student’s success.

Start the School Year with Confidence

The back-to-school season can feel overwhelming, but with a little planning and the right mindset, both students and parents can step into the year with confidence. By creating strong routines, setting meaningful goals, and staying involved, you’re laying the foundation for a successful school year ahead. 

Are you looking for additional ways to play a larger part in your child's education? An online public school like Connections Academy could be the right choice for your family. At a Connections Academy-supported school, students learn at home and follow a state-approved curriculum taught by certified teachers. Students can benefit from flexible scheduling, College and Career Readiness programs, dedicated school counselors, and a wide selection of extracurricular clubs and activities. 

Make this back-to-school season one of the most wonderful times of the year. Visit our school locators map to see if there is a Connections Academy school near you.

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