Let’s Be Honest…

Summer is coming to a close and whether you’re ready or not the back-to-school season is drawing near.  And we can’t be long in feeling like it’s a sprint, marathon, and juggling act all rolled into one. Between buying supplies, adjusting to new schedules, and wondering if your tween or teen will actually remember their lunch, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s the good news: a few simple (and realistic!) hacks can take the chaos down a notch.

Here are 5 of our favorite back-to-school hacks that parents swear by—because yes, there is a way to make school mornings and homework time feel calmer, smoother, and even (dare I say it?) manageable.

You know that mad morning dash where everyone’s scrambling to find their shoes, sign last-minute forms, and pack lunches? We’re ending that. Starting tonight.

• Pack backpacks and sports bags before bed.
• Lay out tomorrow’s outfit (bonus points for including socks and shoes!).
• Write down assignments, due dates, and activities in your student’s planner so there are zero surprises in the morning.

2. Create a Drop Zone for School GearNo more “Mom, where’s my backpack?”

Set up a drop zone near your front or back door—hooks for bags, bins for shoes, and a small basket for things like lunch boxes, chargers, and water bottles.

Hack Bonus: Add a “planner check” station where students can do a quick review of their assignments before tossing their backpack down for the night. It’s a 30-second habit that saves you hours of “I forgot my homework” drama.

Schedules multiply fast when school starts—sports, after-school clubs, dentist appointments… it’s a lot. A family calendar (digital or wall-style) helps everyone see the big picture, while a student planner keeps your teen’s world organized.

The trick? Sync the two once a week. Sunday night is perfect. Sit down as a family and update both calendars so everyone knows what’s happening when.

Encourage your student to start assignments with a quick 2-minute rule: “If it’ll take less than 2 minutes, do it right now.” This little rule (like writing down tomorrow’s to-do list or reviewing notes) prevents small tasks from piling up.

Ten minutes. That’s it. Even students that are reluctant to use a planner daily usually “buy in” by starting small with a pre-week planning session. Every Sunday, have your student map out the week ahead in their planner:

• Assignments due.
• After-school activities.
• Study blocks before tests.
• Fun stuff (yes, we plan for downtime too!).

This ritual helps students actually see how their time is being used—and how to balance it. It helps them feel less overwhelmed and more in control of their week.  Plus, it cuts down on the dreaded Sunday-night “Oh no, I have a project due tomorrow!” meltdowns.

Back-to-school doesn’t have to feel like a wild scramble (ok, or maybe just a little less than full on wild). With a few intentional habits—and the right tools—you can set your student (and yourself!) up for a calmer, more confident school year.

Our Order Out of Chaos Academic Planners are designed to help students see time, manage tasks, and take ownership of their schedules. Check out our  2025–2026 planners  here and make this the year of less chaos, more calm.