Sign up to our monthly design newsletter just for teens!
Get must-have tips and tricks, videos and articles to help you stay on top of your design game – for free!
Back-to-school season – you either love it or… well, let’s just say you’re working on loving it! 😉 But here’s the thing: our amazing teen community has some seriously genius ways to make going back to school feel less like a chore and more like the fresh start it’s meant to be. We asked you how you’re prepping for the new year, and your responses are pure gold!
Let’s talk about the prep game – because apparently, some of you have this down to a science!
I know it may sound crazy, but I love the back to school season! Already by the end of July, I start to think about things I will need to buy, teachers, classes, shoes, backpacks, ect. In August, I make a list of what I have and what I need. -Penina
Her secret weapon? A good planner with a layout that actually works, plus a stash of “pick-me-ups” for those long school days.
Also, something I always have is some ponytails, lip gloss, chocolates, lint rollers, or whatever else I would need as a pick me up in the middle of a long day at school. I also have plenty to share😊 -Penina
But here’s what we love – Rifky’s got the real insider tip:
It’s best to buy school supplies at the start of the holidays, since then most families are busy with holiday prep to think about school. This means the shops will be emptier and quieter than the last minute rush in the week before school starts, thereby giving you some peace 😉 -Rifky
Just make sure to actually check what you already have first:
make sure you have a clear list of what you actually need, so that you don’t accidentally end up buying more glues when you’ve still got 5 unopened from last year!! -Rifky
(Because apparently we all have five unopened glue sticks lying around 😂)
Can we talk about how satisfying it is when everything matches?
I love having everything matching. Also because I’m very into colours, it helps me feel more organised to have everything the same rather than different flashy colours. And it gets me creative! This year I’m doing lemon and sky blue – I just love those colours – they’re peaceful and cheerful and fresh all at once. -Miriam
There’s something about having a color scheme that just makes everything feel more put-together, even when your life definitely isn’t!
And Shira’s approach?
I’m a more scramble to get all my stuff but a must have cute notebooks to write in-Not just for notes but for my own writings that I do in my free time.Or…during class😉 -Shira
Plus, colored pens for different days or classes? That’s the kind of organization hack that actually makes studying more fun.
Okay, this one’s big: Ruchy and Rifky both swear by gradually shifting your sleep schedule the week before school starts.
The best preparation is to get some extra SLEEP!!!! With all the homework and tests you’ll be assigned once the year starts it’s essential to be awake and refreshed, especially for the first week back when you get to meet all your new teachers, coz first impressions really DO count. -Rifky
my advice to anyone starting school- the week before, go to sleep a bit earlier each night, so that when school starts you don’t find yourself lying awake all night because you’re not used to early nights.(it’s been tried, and it works). -Ruchy
Go to bed a little earlier each night so you’re not lying awake staring at the ceiling when school begins. It sounds so simple, but apparently it works! As Ruchy puts it – especially for those starting GCSEs or big exam years:
Also, if you’re starting year 11 and doing GCSEs (or the equivalent in the USA), you never know when your next good night’s sleep will be, so use this time wisely. -Ruchy
Here’s where our community really shined with the mindset magic.
About a week or so before school starts, I make a list of things I am looking forward to this year, things I want to do better than last year and how I will do that, questions for my future self, ect. At the end of the year I go back and fill it out again. It is very accomplishing and satisfying to see. -Penina
But maybe our favorite tip comes from Malky K:
write down any exciting events in the year (bar mitzvah, wedding, birthday, siblings and parents birthday…) and then make a countdown from each event to the next ex: 67 days to the bar mitzvah of cousin, 123 days to siblings birthday… That way you’ll always have something to look forward to and make the year more exciting🎉🎉. -Malky
Rochel Devora agrees with this approach:
One tip to make the school year less overwhelming is to think of the next exciting thing coming up like school play or chanuka chagiga or purim or anything exciting coming up. -Rochel Devora
Suddenly you always have something to look forward to instead of just counting down to summer again!
Even if you’re not naturally excited about going back (looking at you, Devora!):
What I think about this is like we have such a short amount of summer holiday that I am not so hyped up for the new year because we have such a short amount of holiday. -Devora
But as she adds:
What I liked to do is get all new and fresh and make the best of everything. -Devora
There’s something powerful about embracing that “new and fresh” feeling. Rochel Devora captures this perfectly:
I always get excited when there is something new it doesn’t make a difference what it is. something new and fresh. -Rochel Devora
As Esty puts it:
I like being organized and planned out. I buy a cute calendar/ planner to get me excited for the school year and it helps me look forward to filling the pages with appointments, homework, and everything else. I like to think of goals for the upcoming year to help the transition into school be more exciting. A new year to me signifies a fresh start with many new opportunities. -Esty
And sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference – like Miriam’s approach:
One thing I need to have is a sketch-pad and a bunch of colouring things – markers, pencil crayons, or fine-liners, whatever it is, I can never get through a lesson without drawing. -Miriam
Or Shira’s gratitude practice:
I also keep a gratitude journal where each day I write 2 things that I am grateful for that day.That way a stressful day has at least 2 good things.And some days I even write more!! -Shira
Even on stressful days, there are at least two things to be grateful for!
So whether you’re the type who has everything planned out by July or you’re still scrambling two days before school starts:
It’s usually two days before school that I suddenly realise that help(!)I’ve got school tomorrow and I rush to get everything together. -Miriam
The key is finding what works for YOU. Maybe it’s a color scheme that makes you happy, a countdown calendar that keeps you motivated, or just making sure you have enough sleep to actually function.
The beautiful thing about a new school year? It really is a chance to start fresh, try new approaches, and see how it all turns out. As Malky K beautifully captures it:
I love the feeling of a new school year,
love opening my notes now neat and clear,
love wearing my new shoes now with a nice good smell
love putting on my new uniform so crisp I could yell
love wearing my new briefcase orderly and no mess
love seeing my friend again that part is the best
and without the guidance of the one above a new school year I wouldnt love
-Malky K
There’s something special about new shoes, neat notebooks, and seeing friends again that just makes everything feel possible.
What’s your secret for making back-to-school feel amazing? Share your tips – our community is always ready to learn from each other! 📚✨
Get must-have tips and tricks, videos and articles to help you stay on top of your design game – for free!