Making Back to School Easy for Parents and Students

As the end of summer nears, both students and parents must get ready for the first day of school.  It\'s time to say goodbye to the relaxed atmosphere of summer and hello to the academic rigors of a new school year.  As any parent who has a school age child knows, it can often be a mad dash to ensure their child is prepared to start the school year right.  But getting ready for another school year does not have to be a stressful experience.  Here are four strategies to help parents and students ease the transition.

Don\'t Wait Until the Last Minute
Whether you are sending your youngster off to school for the very first time or helping your teen get ready for another year of high school, there is a lot to do to get ready for a new school year.  If you wait until the last minute, you’re sure to make the process more stressful than it needs to be, so it is important to plan ahead.  No matter how old your child is, there are certain things you need to do every year like shop for school supplies and new clothes and complete the paperwork required by the school.  A few weeks before the school year begins, set aside time to do the things you already know you have to do.  Then if something does come up at the last minute, you will be more prepared to handle it.

Minimize Your Back to School Outings
There\'s no doubt the amount of stuff kids need for school these days is greater than ever before.  The sheer number of supplies can seem intimidating to anyone, particularly if you have more than one child.  Make a list of everything your children need for the upcoming year from school supplies to sporting equipment.  Then schedule your trips to purchase all of the necessary items.  By keeping a single master list, you can make a few trips to your favorite stores instead of running out every couple of days to pick up something you forgot.

Don\'t Try to Do Too Much in One Day
While consolidating the number of errands you have to run during your back to school preparations is critical to simplifying the process, you don\'t want to do too much at once, especially if your children are going with you.  It\'s best to block off a few hours on a few different days to run your back to school errands.  This will help keep the process manageable and everyone\'s tempers in check.

Get Check-Ups and Complete Medical Paperwork
Most schools require you to submit your child\'s medical history, including allergies, vaccination records and other relevant information faculty and staff should know.  If your child will be playing sports during the upcoming school year, they will most likely need a pre-season physical before they can participate.  The good thing about these requirements is they can be completed at any time during the summer.  Take advantage of this and schedule your child\'s appointments at a time that is convenient for you, so you don\'t have to rush to get an appointment during the last few days of summer vacation.