As summer comes to a close, it’s time to prepare to head back to School. This shift from having a schedule full of leisure to hours’ worth of classes and homework can bring on several emotions. You may feel excited to have a steady routine, or you may feel anxious and full of dread.

Luckily, returning to school doesn’t have to be daunting. With these eight tips, you can have the best school year yet.

1. Prioritize Your Self-Care

From homework and projects to your long list of extracurriculars, back to school can be the busiest time of year. With your schedule completely booked, it may be hard to prioritize yourself. 

Before you go back to class, implement a low-maintenance daily self-care routine to get you out the door on time. But don’t neglect to include some more intensive pampering in your weekend schedule. Something as simple as giving yourself an occasional infusion hair treatment can be a major mood booster. 

2. Refresh Your Wardrobe

Clothing is powerful. While some people think it’s just a necessity to protect against the elements, clothing can impact you mentally and socially. Wearing an outfit you don’t feel your best in can lead to feelings of insecurity and decrease your focus. You’ll be hard-pressed to follow the lecture if you’re constantly tugging on a too-high neckline or getting scratched by a tag.

The right outfit, on the other hand, can boost your confidence and make you feel prepared for whatever the school throws your way. Invest in a pair of statement sneakers or thrift an entirely new ensemble that combines comfort and style. Starting the school year with new pieces will excite you to take on the day ahead.  

3. Stock Up on New School Supplies

Before you head to class, stock up on essential supplies for the new year, including pens, pencils, notebooks, and folders. With such supplies at hand, you’ll be able to capture fresh concepts for later review and keep your assignments organized. These new tools can also help you feel jazzed about learning.

Along with these classroom basics, consider getting a blank journal to record your thoughts and feelings about the year. There are several stationery options available featuring unique artwork and colors that let you show off your personality.

4. Designate and Organize Your Workspace

Your mind tends to associate each space in your home with an activity. You eat in the kitchen or dining room and Sleep in your bedroom, for example. If you were to do assignments in bed, you’d probably either drift off or begin to associate your sleep sanctuary with schoolwork. This, in turn, can affect your quality of sleep.

To avoid either fate, find an area in your home to designate as your workspace. Once you’ve decided where to tackle schoolwork, make sure you keep it tidy. A messy workspace can lead to a messy mind, whereas an organized space will help you concentrate and maximize your productivity.

5. Set Realistic Goals

As you’re planning for the school year, establish a few academic-focused objectives you’d like to accomplish. The S.M.A.R.T. format is one of the best frameworks to follow when you’re setting your goals. That means goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. 

For example, you could decide you want to complete your work a day before the due date for two weeks. This might require you to set the further specific, measurable objective of studying for two hours each day. S.M.A.R.T. goals can help you focus your efforts and determine what needs to be done to achieve them. 

Be sure to write your goals down, too. Once you achieve each one, you can cross it off your list. This will boost your morale and keep you motivated.

6. Track Your Assignments

During the first week of school, many teachers and professors will hand out a syllabus with important dates to remember. Don’t try to commit these dates and intermediate milestones to memory. Instead, use a planner to keep track of your projects and tasks. 

From digital to physical notebooks, there are so many options to choose from that will fit your lifestyle and preferences. By adding a planner to your school supplies, you can map out your projects and schedule free time more efficiently. 

7. Adopt Healthy Sleep Habits

During the summer months, many students stay up late and wake up late, ditching their school-year sleep routines. If that’s been the case for you, you’ll need to change your slumber habits come fall. Not only does getting enough sleep boost your mood, but it also helps improve your cognitive functions. 

Sleep affects the entire body. If you don’t get enough sleep, you’re putting yourself at risk for a myriad of health issues. These can include heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression. At minimum, you should be getting eight hours of sleep each night. Doing so will improve your productivity and overall health. 

8. Schedule Time for Hobbies

When your agenda is filled with homework assignments, taking time out of your day to do things you enjoy can be challenging. However, scheduling time to practice your hobbies can help relieve stress and prevent burnout. Even during the school year, your brain deserves a break.

Many hobbies can be done by yourself, or you can expand your horizons and try a “social hobby.” Social hobbies like joining a book club or hosting craft nights can enable you to make friends and build a sense of community. But whether it’s reading a book solo or playing video games with friends, don’t neglect to schedule time to unwind with your favorite pastimes. 

Getting into the back-to-school groove doesn’t have to feel like a chore. By prioritizing  self-care, dressing (and organizing) for success, and slotting in some downtime, you can have a school year that rules.

Also read: Beyond the Standard: How Innovative Schools Are Ditching Standards-Based Grading

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