Thinking back on past summers before returning to school, I’ve always looked forward to having an amazing break, but I knew that returning to school was right around the corner. Some part of me was excited to start new classes, buy new notebooks, and hit the refresh button on life. But another part of me dreaded walking into another year of unknowns.
Like many people, I often wasted away those last few days, counting down to the first bell instead of preparing myself for the year ahead. Looking back now, I realize those days leading up to school are some of the most important of the entire year. Walking into day one half-prepared is the last 12 weeks feeling like catching up. But if you take the time to approach day one thoughtfully, you can walk into your first day confident, prepared, and ready to succeed.
That is why I want to share six things you should do before school starts.
They aren’t overwhelming or stressful things. In fact, they’re quite simple. But by taking the time to focus on each of the following areas, you set yourself up for success not only in the classroom but in your personal life as well. You’ll feel calmer, more prepared, and ready to take on day one and the year ahead.
6 Things to Do Before School Starts
1. Regain Healthy Sleep Schedule
If you had a lengthy break before the start of school, you probably found your sleep schedule shifted without you noticing. Maybe you stayed up late binge-watching your favorite show, talking to friends late into the night, or scrolling through social media. Before you knew it, mornings became later and later.
While this sleep schedule might have been enjoyable during your break, it won’t do you any favors when you start your school year. Your brain and body need plenty of rest to function correctly. Sleep directly impacts your memory, concentration, and energy levels. Studies show teens need between 8–10 hours of nightly sleep to properly function (National Sleep Foundation).
Walking into your school year sleep-deprived will make it more challenging to focus, stay awake during lectures, and manage your stress.
Start shifting your sleep schedule weeks before the first day of school. Each night, go to bed 30 minutes earlier than you normally would. Each morning, wake up 30 minutes earlier than you have been. By the time your school schedule begins, your body will be accustomed to the earlier mornings.
Even if you start adjusting your schedule one week before school starts, you will thank yourself on those first few mornings.
Read also: 10 Guidelines for Creating Better Sleeping Habits
2. Restock Your Supplies and Get Organized
Restocking your supplies and getting organized are two simple tasks you can do to help yourself before the year begins. Imagine going into your first day of school only to realize you don’t have your notebook, pens, or calculator. That anxiety will follow you into your classroom and make it difficult to focus or pay attention.
Instead of starting your year off panicked, take some time to restock your supplies. Buy yourself some nice notebooks, pencils, folders, and any other materials you may need for the year. Purchase a planner for the year and label one notebook or binder per subject so you don’t have to scramble later.
This also goes for your study space at home. Working from a cluttered desk or room full of distractions will make it difficult to concentrate. Studies show that clutter around you can actually compete for your attention and decrease your performance while increasing stress (Princeton University). Take time to clean up and organize your space so you have a peaceful place to study.
Read also: How to Study Without Sleeping
3. Refresh What You Already Know
One of the hardest things about returning to school is getting your mind back into “school mode.” You likely haven’t been reading, writing, or studying problems since your break began. That isn’t a problem, but it will make your first few months back feel more sluggish than they have to.
Instead of dragging your brain out of hibernation, help wake it up before the school year begins. You don’t need to spend hours studying – just take some time to review. Flip through your notes from last year, read a chapter or two of a subject you struggled with, or complete a few practice problems.
Think of it as similar to stretching before you exercise. You wouldn’t start a race without stretching your muscles, and you shouldn’t make your brain sprint either. Spend 15–30 minutes reviewing before your school starts, and you’ll thank yourself when you walk into that first lecture.
Read also: 10 Effective Steps to Reduce Mental Fatigue
4. Set Goals for Yourself This Year
Another excellent thing you can do before the school year starts is to set personal goals for yourself. Every year you go into school with no goals or plans. But what happens when you take the time to dream and set intentions for your year?
Your goals can be anything you want them to be. Maybe you want to improve your grades in a particular subject. Perhaps you want to make new friends or join a club. Your goals can even be personal ones such as wanting to become more confident, active, or organized.
Studies have shown when you take the time to create specific and attainable goals for yourself, you set yourself up for success because you now have a plan to follow. Take some time to write down three to five goals that you’d like to accomplish this school year and break them down into small steps you can do daily or weekly to achieve them. Going into your school year with intention will help you feel more motivated and prepared.
5. Create Healthy Habits
Similar to setting goals for yourself, you can use the time before school starts to create healthy habits. Once you’re going to school every day, doing homework, and involved in activities, it’s much more difficult to build healthy habits. Without good habits, it’s easy to fall into a space of stress, exhaustion, and poor decisions.
Use your time off to build good habits that will keep you grounded. Ensure you’re eating regular meals, getting some exercise each day, and have a morning routine that helps you feel focused. Even small habits like drinking enough water, eating nutritious foods, and limiting your screen time can improve your energy levels and overall well-being.
If you start implementing these healthy habits now, they will be ingrained in your daily routine by the time school starts.
6. Prepare Your Mindset
Last but not least, prepare your mindset for the upcoming year. Your mindset affects everything that comes after it. If you go into your first day feeling anxious, worried, or negative, it will only bring you down. But if you walk into your first day feeling confident and ready for whatever may come, you’ll easily be able to tackle whatever the year throws at you.
Remind yourself that school isn’t about earning a good grade. It’s about learning and growing as a person. Each year is an opportunity to learn more about yourself and who you want to become. Learn to be grateful for the opportunity to grow and learn new things.
If you have any negative thoughts about going back to school, write them down and brainstorm ways you can overcome these challenges. Preparing your mindset is just as important as preparing your school materials. When you walk into your first day with a positive mindset and confidence, nothing can stop you.
Conclusion
Your time before school starts is so much more valuable than you think. Rather than seeing it as dead time in between your lovely break and the start of classes, use it. Use it to get organized, prepare healthy habits, and set the mindset you want to maintain throughout your year.
By regaining a healthy sleep schedule, stocking up on supplies, refreshing your brain, setting goals, building good habits, and preparing your mindset, you are giving yourself the best chance at success on day one. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or anxious about your first day back, you’ll be excited to start!
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