It’s back-to-school time across the United States. Whether you’ve already headed back to school or you’ll be going back after Labor Day, it’s time to get ready to get yourself prepared for new learning experiences. The following is a guide for everything kids and teens, and college students need to head back to school.
Preparing for A New School Year
Now that it’s time to head back to school, it’s important to be prepared. The best way to do this is to have an extensive list of everything your child and/or teenager will need for the upcoming school year. Across the nation, many schools sent out a dedicated school supply list to students for their specific grade level. So, make sure the check in with your kids to on to find out what they need for the upcoming school year.
Likewise, you may want to consider other supply needs. This includes everything from clothing for the fall season to sanitation supplies. To ensure that your kids and teens have everything they need for school and college, we’ve compiled a list of important items for the back-to-school season.
School Supplies
When it comes to school supplies, it’s always best to be overly prepared. You don’t want your children to be without the necessary supplies needed to complete their schoolwork. If you haven’t already checked, make sure you have a complete back-to-school supply list. Most schools contact parents with a comprehensive list of required and recommended educational supplies per teacher and/or grade level so that students can be prepared for the upcoming school year.
In general, you want to make sure you have plenty of paper because the kids are going to need it. This means looseleaf paper, notebooks, etc. Writing utensils such as pencils and pens as well as erasers are also a necessity. Don’t forget to throw in a couple of folders, scissors and rulers as well as pouches to hold all of your writing utensils. A book bag is essential for carrying school supplies back and forth to school and between classes.
As we all know, the older we get when it comes to school, the more supplies we usually need. This is especially true when it comes to college students. In addition to all of the school supplies listed above, college students need textbooks. One of the best ways to obtain textbooks on a budget is the rental option as this allows students to get the textbooks they need at a reduced price without having to pay the higher cost of owning a textbook outright.
Clothing & Wares
Back-to-school clothing is a necessity. Remember, children and teenagers always growing and it’s very likely that clothing purchased for the previous back-to-school season may not fit as well as used to. In some cases, you may be able to get by without purchasing school-related clothing because of uniforms. If you live in a school district where uniforms are the norm, make sure to purchase enough uniform bottoms and tops to last throughout the week.
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It’s important to purchase clothing for the upcoming cooler weather. Clothing that is easy to wash and maintain while being durable is highly recommended. Likewise, for those who have kids who are into extracurricular activities such as sports and dance, it’s important to plan to purchase clothing and accessories for these activities as well.
Don’t forget about outdoor clothing, especially for inclement weather. Given the change in seasons, purchase a decent jacket that will provide warmth for those cool mornings waiting at the bus stop or walking home from school as well as raincoats and umbrellas for those rainy days.
Last, but definitely but not least, remember to consider the dress code at your child’s school before purchasing clothing. The last thing you want to do is to purchase clothing only to find out that it doesn’t meet the school’s dress code.
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Stay Sanitized & Safe
Over the last few years, staying sanitized in public places has been exceptionally important, and it is no different when it comes to school environments. Many schools are asking parents to provide cleaning products as part of the back-to-school supplies to ensure that there are enough cleaning and sanitization supplies on hand. So, make sure to have cleaning and sanitizing supplies as part of your child’s back-to-school supplies…even if they aren’t requested by the teacher. Some sanitary items to include on a back-to-school list are:
- Hand sanitizer
- Wipes
- Tissues
- Alcohol swabs
Also, consider purchasing a small first aid kit that your child can carry in their book bag.
Adulting…Dorm Style
When it comes to college students, they need not only school supplies but also items for daily living…especially when living in a dorm environment. Most colleges provide an extensive back-to-school list for incoming freshmen and returning students to make sure that they have everything they need to feel comfortable in a college environment. In fact, at most colleges across the United States, college students are expected to live on campus for their freshman year. So, it’s very important that you make sure that your college student is sent off well prepared.
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Some of the items to have on hand for your college student include hygiene products, bedroom items such as linen and pillows, school supplies, and perhaps a refrigerator to make sure that they have a place to put snacks and other items. Don’t forget the essential electronics such as a laptop and a printer.
Tips for Preparing for Back to School
There’s a lot of anticipation with back-to-school time and being prepared will ensure that your kids are all ready for the school year. The following are some suggestions to help you navigate the back-to-school experience.
Shop in Bulk
Shopping in bulk is definitely something to consider for this back-to-school season. The more items you can buy at a great cost the better. Consider purchasing items like paper, notebooks, folders, pencils, pens, and other common materials in bulk so you can have them on hand throughout the school year for replenishment.
Search for Deals
Now is the perfect time to purchase common educational materials and school supplies at a discount. They’re many retailers across the United States offering deep discounts due to the back-to-school season. Do your due diligence and search for the best deals when seeking back-to-school supplies, clothing, and other items as they are readily available at this time.
Seek Out Help with School Supplies
With inflation, the cost of everything is much higher, and some people are feeling the pinch financially. In many jurisdictions, there are services to help parents obtain the school supplies they need for the upcoming school year. For those having an issue purchasing school supplies at this time, seek out help from local organizations. In some cities, local community organizations have back-to-school drives that provide free school supplies for the local community. Seek out these resources if you need help getting back-to-school supplies.
Shop Second-Hand
Second-hand stores are also a great option for great back-to-school savings. From clothing to bookbags, thrift stores are an excellent way to purchase back-to-school items at a lower cost than regular retailers. Many thrift stores are offering combined savings that allow customers to purchase lots of back-to-school supplies at deeply discounted prices. Make sure to visit the local thrift stores around Labor Day to take advantage of additional savings for back-to-school.
A new school year is upon us and now is time to get prepared. From pre-K to college students, make sure everyone is ready with this helpful guide for the back-to-school season.
