As I reflect on my own breaks before going back to school, I remember always being hopeful for a great holiday but also sad that the return to classes was near. On the one hand, I looked forward to new classes, fresh notebooks, and a chance to start again. On the other, there was a sense of dread in stepping into another year of unknowns.
Often, I let those last days slip away waiting for the first bell, instead of using them to prepare myself for what was ahead. Looking back, I see now that the days before school play a major role in shaping the rest of the year. If you walk into the first day unprepared, it often feels like scrambling to catch up. But if you approach it with care, you can start strong—organized, confident, and ready for what comes next.
That is why today I want to share six important things to do before school starts. These steps are not complex or stressful, but they can make a huge difference. By focusing on them, you give yourself the best chance not only for classroom success but also for personal growth and well-being. They will also help you feel calmer, more focused, and in control when the first day arrives.
6 Essential Things to Do Before School Starts
1. Get Your Sleep Schedule Back in Order
During a long break, your sleep routine often changes without you noticing. You might start staying up late watching TV, chatting with friends, or scrolling endlessly online. Then, mornings stretch later and later. While this feels fun during vacation, it becomes a problem once school starts.
Your mind and body need good rest to function at their best. Sleep is key for memory, focus, and energy. Research shows that teenagers need 8–10 hours of sleep each night to perform well (National Sleep Foundation). Coming into school with sleep debt makes it harder to pay attention, stay awake in class, and manage stress.
Start resetting your schedule early. Go to bed a little earlier each night and wake up a little earlier each morning until you match your school routine. Even beginning a week before classes makes the first mornings back much smoother.
Read also: 10 Guidelines for Creating Better Sleeping Habits
2. Stock Your Resources and Organize Your Area
Getting your supplies ready and organizing your space are simple steps that make a big difference. Imagine showing up the first day and realizing you don’t have your notebook, pens, or calculator. That stress follows you into class and makes it harder to focus.
Avoid this by preparing ahead. Make sure you have notebooks, pencils, folders, and any other tools you will need. Assign a specific notebook or binder for each subject so you are not scrambling later.
Equally important is your study space at home. A messy desk or cluttered room makes it harder to concentrate. A study by Princeton University found that physical clutter competes for your attention and reduces performance while raising stress (Princeton University). Take time to declutter, clean, and set up a space where you can focus.
Read also: How to Study Without Sleeping
3. Review and Refresh What You Already Know
One of the toughest parts of going back to school is shaking off the “rust.” You probably haven’t spent much of your break reading, writing, or solving problems. That’s natural, but it makes the first weeks back more challenging.
Instead of struggling through a slow restart, wake up your brain ahead of time. This doesn’t mean hours of study—just a little review can make a big difference. Look over last year’s notes, read a few chapters of a subject you found tough, or work through a few math problems.
Think of it like warming up before exercise. You wouldn’t run a race without stretching, and your brain also needs a warm-up. Just 15–30 minutes of review a day before school starts can help you feel confident when you walk back into class.
Read also: 10 Effective Steps to Reduce Mental Fatigue
4. Set Personal Goals for the Year
Before the year begins, you have a chance to set your intentions. Too often, people enter school without any clear goals. But when you decide what you want to achieve, you give yourself direction and motivation.
Your goals don’t need to be big or complicated. They might be academic, like raising your grade in a certain subject. They could be social, like making new friends or joining a club. They can even be personal, such as becoming more confident, active, or organized with your time.
Studies show that setting specific, realistic goals improves success because they provide a clear path to follow (American Psychological Association). Take time to write down three to five goals that matter to you, along with small steps you can take toward each one. With purpose guiding you, you’ll feel more motivated and prepared for the school year.
5. Build Good Habits
Another smart way to prepare is by developing supportive routines before school begins. Once classes, homework, and activities pile up, it becomes harder to form new habits. Without healthy routines, it’s easy to fall into stress, fatigue, or unhealthy choices.
Use this time to set up simple routines that keep you balanced. Eat regular meals, add a little exercise into your day, and create a morning routine that gives you focus. Even small habits—like staying hydrated, eating balanced meals, and limiting screen time—boost energy and well-being.
By starting now, these habits will already feel natural by the time school gets busy, making life much easier.
6. Prepare Your Mindset
Finally, prepare your mindset for the year ahead. Your attitude shapes everything that follows. If you walk into the first day with worry, doubt, or negativity, it will hold you back. But if you enter with confidence and openness, you will handle challenges more easily.
Remind yourself that school is not just about grades—it is also about growth. Each year is a chance to discover more about yourself, to learn new things, and to meet new people. Practicing gratitude for these opportunities can shift your outlook.
If you have fears about school, write them down and also list possible ways to handle them. Preparing your mind is just as important as preparing your supplies. Positivity and confidence will carry you farther than fear or stress ever could.
Final Thoughts
The time before school starts is more valuable than it seems. It is not just empty space between break and classes—it is a chance to get organized, build good habits, and prepare your mindset for the year ahead.
By resetting your sleep schedule, gathering supplies, refreshing your knowledge, setting goals, building habits, and preparing your mindset, you give yourself a strong start. Instead of feeling anxious about the first day, you can look forward to it with confidence.
Take this time seriously. The effort you put in now will shape not only your first day but your entire year. By preparing with care, you gift yourself peace, focus, and the momentum to begin the year with strength.
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