Preparing for Back to School Time

1. Prepare some freezer meals.

The first week of school is exhausting! The last thing you’re going to want to do when you get home is, make dinner. Luckily, you can use some time now to prepare meals. Freezer meals are a great way to prepare to go back to school. These are some of my favorite freezer meals and tips for freezer cooking.

2. Fill out your calendar now.

The beginning of the school year is always busy. There are so many meetings and events. It’s hard to remember when everything is happening. That’s why I fill out my calendar over the summer. Go to your district website and label all the important things you need to do. I also add other family activities to my calendar. For me, that includes my son’s soccer practices and my daughter’s dance classes. I’m less stressed when I can see exactly what I need to do each day.

3. Start adjusting your sleep schedule.

Summer means sleeping in until 9 and staying up until 11. It’s a shock to your body when you suddenly have to crawl out of bed at 6 on the first day of school. That’s why you should gradually get up and go to bed a little bit earlier. That way, by the first day of school, you’ll be ready for your new schedule.

4. Do a little bit of schoolwork each day.

Everything that needs to be done to go back to school can feel overwhelming.

• Plan lessons
• Organize materials
• Copy papers
• Laminate name tags
• Prepare technology

If you do a little bit each day, you’ll still be able to enjoy your summer. Plus, you won’t have to do everything at the beginning of the school year. 

5. Stock up on snacks and food for lunches.

I pack lunch and a few snacks for myself and my kids each day. I like to start buying school snacks ahead of time. That way, I can just grab a few things in the morning and get out the door. These are some of my favorite snacks:

• Goldfish Veggies (carrots, broccoli, celery)
• Fruits (oranges, apples, fruit cups)
• Pretzels
• Cubed Cheese
• Granola Bars
• Yogurt

6. Get your feet used to school shoes again.

If you’re like me, you’ve been wearing flip-flops all summer. If you try to wear heels on the first day of school, you’ll need to take them off before lunch. Instead, get your feet ready now. Start wearing your dress shoes for short periods of time, like to church or out to dinner. Discover some of the most comfortable shoes for teachers.

7. Clean your house as much as you can now.

If you’re like me, your house gets cleaned well once a year - over the summer. During the school year, you’re lucky if you get the dishes and laundry done once a week. Take time now to organize and clean your house. Then, choose one chore to do each night after school.

8. Go shopping.

All summer you’ve been wearing T-shirts and shorts. Now you need some new clothes for teaching. Get together with some friends and plan a shopping trip. Make sure you get a new outfit for the first day of school.

9. Pamper yourself.

You know the start of the school year is going to be hectic and stressful. There won’t be much time to spend on yourself when you’re trying to meet the learning needs of 25 students and keep the rest of your life in order. Pamper yourself now. Set up a spa day to have a manicure, pedicure, haircut, and massage. You’ll look and feel great as you meet your new students and start a new school year.

10. Enjoy the last few days of summer with your family.

With your ridiculously long to-do list, it’s easy to forget to enjoy yourself. Summer will wrap up quickly, and you’ll have 180 days to do school work. Spend time with your family before summer is over. Plan some day trips and create some amazing memories. Hopefully, all of these ideas will help you de-stress as you prepare for the beginning of the school year.

How do you prepare for back to school? Share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Want more from this author? Check out Tara's tips for managing a chatty class, getting free or cheap books for your classroom library, and her money-saving ideas for teachers.