How to ACTUALLY Get Ready for the New School Year
July has arrived, and with it, the appearance of Back to School banners in your local grocery store, Back to School sale emails from your favorite online retailers, and more harbingers of the return to school in just a few weeks. We know you’re probably not thrilled to be reminded about the next school year while you’re still enjoying your summer, but since you’ve vowed (once again) that 2024-2025 will be your year, let’s talk about how to ACTUALLY get ready for the next school year.
Using Summer to Prepare for the New School Year
The last thing we want to do is give you a homework assignment before the new school year begins, but following these simple and highly impactful practices will ensure you have a leg up on other kids when you return to school. Don't think of these practices as homework. Instead, think of this as an outline you can follow to double-check that you're adequately ready for school!
1. Start a sleep schedule BEFORE school starts.
We know, okay? Summer is for staying up late and sleeping in. But if you wait until the night before school starts to fix your sleep schedule, you’re going to struggle mightily during school mornings. Start going to bed early and see if you can gradually wake up earlier every day leading up to the school year. Aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Your future, well-rested self will thank you. Maybe you can even create a morning routine before the new school year.
2. Read a book that’s NOT on the syllabus.
Sure, many schools provide a summer reading list, but how about reading something just because it interests you? Fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, manga, poetry, etc. Pick a book that’s outside your usual genre or a non-fiction topic you’re curious about. Expanding your reading habits can improve your comprehension skills and make you more adaptable in class.
3. Clean and organize your space.
Your room, your desk, your backpack—give them all a good clean. A cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind. Start the year with a clean slate by organizing your study area. It’s a simple way to boost your productivity and reduce stress. And when you begin receiving homework assignments, you’ll have a clean space to operate in.
Resources We Love: Executive Function Skills classes (available for girls and boys) can really help get the LIFE part of school down. From organization to keeping up with a schedule, we’ve got your back!
4. Reflect (honestly) on last year.
Take some time to think about what went well for you last year and what didn’t. Were there subjects you struggled with? Study habits that didn’t work? Friendships or activities that drained your energy? Be brutally honest with yourself and eliminate the things that aren’t working for you. You’ll be surprised how much weight this takes from your shoulders and how much easier it makes achieving your goals.
Resources We Love: If you’ve identified problems with study skills or executive function, our Study and Organization Skills classes can help you develop better, more effective study skills.
5. Set Realistic Goals
Instead of aiming to be perfect in every subject, set realistic and specific goals. Maybe it’s improving your grade in math by one letter, joining a new club, or making an effort to participate more in class discussions. Whatever it is, it’s important to stay patient and recognize developing new skills takes time. Write these goals down and think about the steps you need to take to achieve them.
6. Practice Self-Care
High school can be stressful, so it’s important to develop self-care habits now. Be kind to yourself and treat your body the right way (eat breakfast, get enough sleep, and spend time with family). Whether it’s exercise, meditation, journaling, or just taking time to relax, find what helps you unwind and make it a regular part of your routine.
7. Reach Out to Teachers (Especially Ones You Don’t Get Along With!)
Many students have one or two teachers they don’t quite see eye to eye with. If there were any teachers you had a hard time with last year, consider reaching out to them before school starts. A simple email or visit to their classroom can show you’re committed to a fresh start and can help build a better relationship for the upcoming year.
8. Plan Your Extracurriculars Wisely
While it’s great to be involved, don’t overcommit. Choose activities that you’re genuinely interested in and that can help you grow. Quality over quantity is key here. It’s better to be deeply involved in a few activities than to spread yourself too thin. Expanding your boundaries is always encouraged, but it's still important to feel comfortable with your workload.
Resources We Love: Don’t feel limited by extracurriculars offered by your school. Dive into your interests on your own time and make them work for you. Into true crime? Try our Forensic Science camp! Into coding? Try one of our coding courses!
9. Don’t Hesitate to Buy Your School Supplies
You've probably been in this situation before: scrambling to the nearest department store to shop for school supplies, only to find the aisles picked through and desolate. If this rings true to you, chances are you may have gone shopping a bit too late. Don't wait until the week before school starts to get ahold of your pens, pencils, notebooks, and other school necessities – start your back-to-school shopping early this year and buy what you actually want!
