As summer winds down and the school year approaches, getting organized can help ease the transition from lazy days to structured schedules. At Organized Calm, we believe that a well-organized home sets the stage for a successful school year. Whether you're juggling school supplies, managing homework routines, or trying to streamline your mornings, we've got you covered with practical tips to keep your home—and your mind—organized and calm.

 

Create a Dedicated Homework Station

One of the first steps to back-to-school organization is setting up a designated space for homework. A dedicated homework station helps your child focus and keeps school supplies organized.

Tips for setting up a homework station:

- Location, Location, Location: Choose a quiet area in your home, away from distractions like the TV or noisy siblings. It could be a corner of the dining room, a nook in the living room, or even a small desk in their bedroom.

- Stock Up on Supplies: Ensure that the homework station is stocked with all the necessary supplies—pens, pencils, rulers, calculators, notebooks, and a good desk lamp. Having everything within reach reduces interruptions and keeps your child in the zone.

- Organize with Containers: Use containers, bins, or drawer organizers to keep supplies tidy and accessible. Label everything, so your child knows exactly where to find what they need, and where to put it back when they're done.

Streamline Your Morning Routine

Mornings can be chaotic, but with a bit of organization, they don’t have to be. Streamlining your morning routine can reduce stress and start the day on a positive note.

Tips for a smooth morning routine:

- Prepare the Night Before: Lay out clothes, pack lunches, and make sure backpacks are ready to go the night before. This reduces the morning rush and allows everyone to focus on getting out the door on time.

- Create a Morning Checklist: A checklist can help keep everyone on track in the mornings. Break it down into simple tasks like brushing teeth, getting dressed, eating breakfast, and grabbing the backpack. Hang the checklist where everyone can see it.

Set Up a Command Center: A family command center is a central spot where you can keep track of important things like calendars, to-do lists, and reminders. It could be a section of a wall in the kitchen or a bulletin board near the front door.

 

Organize School Supplies and Backpacks

The start of a new school year often comes with an influx of school supplies. Keeping them organized can prevent clutter and ensure that your child has everything they need for class.

Tips for organizing school supplies:

- Sort and Declutter: Before buying new supplies, go through what you already have. Sort through last year’s supplies and keep anything that’s still usable. Donate or recycle items that are no longer needed.

- Label Everything: Labeling helps prevent lost items and makes it easy to find things quickly. Use labels for notebooks, folders, and even smaller items like pencil cases and lunch boxes.

- Create a Backpack Station:  Set up a designated spot near the door for backpacks, lunch boxes, and other school essentials. This helps your child grab what they need on their way out the door and keeps these items from cluttering up the house.

 

Set Up a Family Calendar

A family calendar is essential for keeping track of everyone’s schedules—school activities, extracurriculars, appointments, and more.

Tips for managing a family calendar:

- Choose a Central Location: Whether it’s a paper calendar, a whiteboard, or a digital calendar, keep it in a place where everyone can see it. This helps the whole family stay on the same page.

- Color-Code by Family Member: Assign each family member a color, so you can easily see who has what activity on any given day. This also helps kids take ownership of their schedules.

- Review the Week Ahead: Take a few minutes each Sunday to review the upcoming week with your family. This helps everyone prepare for what’s ahead and reduces last-minute surprises.

 

Establish a Homework Routine

Consistency is key when it comes to homework. Establishing a routine helps your child develop good study habits and reduces procrastination.

Tips for creating a homework routine:

- Set a Regular Time: Choose a specific time each day for homework. It could be right after school, after a snack, or after dinner—whatever works best for your family.

- Minimize Distractions: Make sure the homework station is free of distractions like TVs, phones, and video games. Encourage your child to focus on their work during homework time.

- Break It Down: For larger assignments or projects, help your child break the work down into smaller, manageable tasks. Use a planner or calendar to set deadlines for each part of the project.

 

Organize School Clothes

Having school clothes organized and ready to go can save precious time in the mornings and reduce decision fatigue.

Tips for organizing school clothes:

- Plan Outfits for the Week: On Sundays, help your child choose and lay out their outfits for the week. You can use a hanging organizer or bins labeled with each day of the week.

- Keep Drawers and Closets Tidy: Teach your child how to fold and put away their clothes neatly. Use drawer dividers or small bins to keep items like socks and underwear organized.

- Rotate Seasonal Clothes: At the start of the school year, go through your child’s wardrobe and remove any out-of-season clothes. Store them away to make more room for current items.

 

Plan Lunches Ahead

Packing lunches can be a daily chore, but with a bit of planning, you can make it easier and healthier.

 

Tips for lunch planning:

- Meal Prep on Sundays: Dedicate some time on Sundays to prep lunches for the week. You can wash and chop fruits and veggies, portion out snacks, and even assemble sandwiches or wraps and pop them in the freezer to pull out each morning.

- Use Bento Boxes or Compartments: Bento boxes or lunch containers with compartments make it easy to pack a variety of foods without them getting mixed up. Plus, they’re eco-friendly and reduce the need for disposable bags.

- Get Your Kids Involved: Encourage your kids to help pack their lunches. This not only lightens your load but also helps them take ownership of their meals and they are more likely to eat what they have chosen.

 

Create a Homework Caddy for On-the-Go Studying

Sometimes homework doesn’t happen at home—whether it’s during car rides, at after-school activities, or while waiting for appointments.

Tips for setting up a homework caddy:

- Use a Portable Caddy: A portable caddy with compartments is perfect for holding homework essentials. Stock it with pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters, and paper.

- Keep It in the Car: Having a homework caddy in the car ensures that your child can work on assignments wherever they are. It’s also handy for long road trips or unexpected delays.

- Rotate Supplies as Needed: Depending on the school year and your child’s needs, rotate the supplies in the caddy to keep it relevant.

 

Stay on Top of Paperwork

Between permission slips, report cards, and newsletters, the amount of school-related paperwork can quickly get overwhelming.

 

Tips for managing school paperwork:

- Create a Filing System: Set up a simple filing system with folders or trays for different types of paperwork. For example, you might have one folder for forms that need to be signed, another for school newsletters, and a third for important documents.

- Go Digital Where Possible: If your school offers digital copies of forms or newsletters, opt for that. It reduces paper clutter and makes it easier to find what you need.

- Regularly Declutter: Go through school paperwork regularly and discard anything that’s no longer needed. This keeps your filing system manageable and prevents piles of paper from accumulating.

 

Keep Open Lines of Communication

Finally, maintaining good communication with your child’s teachers, as well as within your own family, is key to staying organized.

Tips for effective communication:

- Set Up Email Alerts:  If your child’s school offers email alerts for grades, assignments, or events, sign up for them. It’s a great way to stay informed and on top of things.

- Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Make time for regular check-ins with your child about school. Ask how they’re feeling, if they need help with any assignments, or if there’s anything they’re worried about.

- Create a Family Meeting Routine: Consider holding short family meetings once a week to go over schedules, address concerns, and plan for upcoming events. It’s a great way to keep everyone in the loop and prevent surprises.

 

A well-organized home can make the back-to-school season smoother and less stressful for everyone. By implementing these tips, you'll set your family up for success and ensure that your home remains a place of calm and order throughout the school year. At Organized Calm, we’re here to help you create a peaceful and organized environment that supports your family’s goals. Here’s to a successful school year!