A back to school routine is essential for easing into a new school year. This blog post discusses the best way to do just that!
Summer ends, school begins
When I was in school, I remember having mixed emotions toward the end of the summer, no matter how old I was. While I was sad that long days at the pool, family vacations and cookouts were phasing out, I felt that excited/nervous anticipation about the upcoming school year. No matter if you’re about to enter a new grade yourself or if you’re the parent of a child who is, it’s a very good idea to implement a back to school routine.
The most difficult part of going back to school is making the transition from having relaxed summer days to regimented school days. (Side note to college students: this back to school routine also applies to going back for your second semester!) This transition time doesn’t have to be insufferable, though. I’m going to share the back to school routine that makes getting back into the swing of things simple and easy.
Don’t skip this tip…
Before diving in to the back to school routine, I have one huge piece of advice to share that was tried and true for me: practice your ideal wake up and sleep times a few weeks in advance! You are going to want to feel your best for your first day and weeks of the new school year. Trying to wake up two hours earlier than you have been all summer without easing into it is a recipe for disaster. The same goes for trying to get to bed earlier than you have been — you’ll most likely be wide awake for a few hours. Do yourself a favor and get started with this early! Sure, you might struggle with it and be extra tired for a couple of days, but at least it will be during the summer when you don’t have as many responsibilities piling up yet.
Now, onto the back to school routine you’ve been waiting for!
BACK TO SCHOOL ROUTINE
Wake up at the same time every day.
If you’re in high school or lower, then school most likely starts at the same time each day. If you’re in college, you might have classes that start at different times depending on the days of the week. Whatever the case is for you, waking up at the same time every day is your best bet. It will help you get to sleep on time and keep your body on a good schedule.
Implement a morning routine that works for you.
Are you the type of person that can spring out of bed and get the day going? Or do you need a little more time to wake up slowly? No matter which camp you fall into, make sure to create a morning routine that suits your needs. Account for all the time you’ll need. Here’s a list of the essentials you’ll need to take care of:
- Brush your teeth
- Take a shower/ wash your face
- Get dressed and ready (skincare, hair, makeup, etc.)
- Eat breakfast
- Pack bag
- Shoes/coat on, ready to be out the door by a certain time
Adopt a solid after school routine.
An after school routine is just as important as your morning routine, if not more important. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Unpack your bag (especially your lunch box!)
- Have a snack
- Change into comfy clothes
- Have your parent/guardian sign any necessary forms
- Charge electronics
Figure out times for homework, extracurriculars, chores, and free time.
This will totally vary person to person, and maybe even day by day, but it’s a good idea to have a solid outline of this time. When I was a student, I came home and relaxed for a while before starting on my homework. Some students prefer to finish their work immediately so they can hang out stress free for the rest of the day. Maybe you have soccer practice right after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so you have no choice but to wait on your homework. Test this out and find what feels and works best, then stick to it as much as you can.
Prep for the next day.
This plays a huge part in having a successful back to school routine. If you can do as much as possible the night before a school day, your morning routine should be a breeze. Here are some of the best things you can do:
- Pick out your outfit and lay it out where you can see it (the same thing goes even if you wear a uniform — make sure everything you need is clean and ironed!)
- Pack your lunch, even items that need to be refrigerated — just put a sticky note out somewhere to remind yourself in the morning to throw said refrigerated items in your lunch bag
- Shower and/or skincare (basically the opposite of what you do in the morning)
- Pack your bag, making sure you have everything you need for the next day, including homework, textbooks, and electronics
- This is also a good time to restock your pencil bag and/or toiletries you keep in your bag
- Set your alarm
Go to bed at the same time every night.
Know that this might be impossible some days, especially if you are in high school or college. As long as you are getting close to 8 hours of sleep (almost) every night, you should be golden.
Don’t forget to give yourself grace!
Going back to school is a big transition period. Be easy on yourself and rest assured that you will get the hang of the new school year schedule in no time.
Final Thoughts
How do you feel about this back to school routine? Will you try it out for yourself or for your child? What am I missing here? Let me know in the comments below!
This blog post discussed how to create a back to school routine.
RELATED: One of the best ways to make your life easier during the school year is by adopting a meal prep routine. 3 Awesome Reasons To Have A Meal Prep Routine (+ How To Get Started!) outlines everything for you!
Need help with your morning and evening routines? Check out 27 Morning Routine Examples To Take Inspiration From and 15 Evening Routine Ideas For Relaxing + Productive Nights!
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