Organization is the Best Preparation

Tips for the Back-to-School Season

Photo by Deleece Cook on Unsplash

As the back-to-school season approaches, the excitement and anticipation can sometimes be accompanied by anxiety. Whether you’re a parent, a college student, a high schooler, or a teacher, staying organized and managing anxiety are crucial components of a successful academic journey.

As a parent, I can say that I in equal parts look forward to, and dread, back-to-school season. It always seems to take me by surprise and I never feel fully prepared. I worry that I’ll forget something on the list or that the new morning routine won’t run smoothly and we’ll miss the bus. Or that in the rush (because it’s somehow always a rush no matter how early we wake up) I’ll forget to make the kids’ lunches. Or make them the night before and forget them in the refrigerator the next morning in the chaos.

To combat some of this anxiety, I started looking into ways that I could make some positive changes in preparation for the season so that my children and I could start the year off on a better footing. These are some of the tips I’ve gathered from other parents and some teachers on how to better transition into school mode.

• Create a Predictable Routine: Establish a consistent daily routine that outlines activities and expectations. Visual schedules and calendars can be particularly helpful for children with autism or anxiety, offering a clear understanding of what to expect each day thereby lessening some of the anxiety they may be experiencing.
• Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with your child’s teachers and support staff. Discuss your child’s strengths, challenges, and sensory sensitivities to ensure a supportive learning environment. Don’t forget to also communicate with your child as well. Allowing them to feel included in the conversation can go a long way to making them feel better prepared as well.
• Practice Exposure: Gradually expose your child to back-to-school preparations by visiting the school, meeting teachers, and discussing upcoming changes. Familiarity can alleviate anxiety. You may also consider taking the kids back-to-school shopping with you so that they can pick out their preferred supplies. Another way to practice exposure, especially in younger children, is to start having them practice eating their lunch from their lunch boxes a couple of weeks before school starts.

The needs of college students are different as they are navigating independence and adult life without the safety net they used to have in high school. Being solely responsible for your routine can be a daunting task for beginners especially if they are taking on a job in addition to college classes. Here are a few tips that I found helped me.

• Create a Structured Schedule: Develop a weekly or even daily schedule that includes class times, study sessions, and leisure activities. Be sure to include work schedules and deadlines as well as due dates for bills. Stick to a routine as much as possible to provide a sense of stability.
• Use Technology Tools: Leverage digital tools and apps for organization, such as calendar apps, task managers, and note-taking applications. These can help streamline coursework and deadlines.
• Designated Study Spaces: Identify quiet and comfortable study spaces that minimize sensory distractions. Personalize these spaces with calming elements to promote focus. My favorite space has always been the library. I take along my noise-canceling headphones, and a couple of fidgets and set timers so I remember to get up and stretch.
• Seek Campus Resources: For those with learning or development disabilities, college campuses often offer resources for students. Connect with the disability services office to access accommodations and support.

High school can be a very challenging time in life. Navigating the waters of academia and social engagement all while going through major hormonal changes is not most people’s favorite time in life. But it can be made easier by instituting some of the following strategies.

• Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Organize assignments into manageable tasks. Use checklists and visual aids to track progress, providing a sense of accomplishment with each completion. There is something very satisfying about checking something off of your to-do list.
• Establish Supportive Friendships: Cultivate relationships with peers who understand and respect your individuality. Engage in social activities that align with your interests and comfort level. Try not to fall into the trap of peer pressure as it’s just another form of bullying. On that same token, don’t pressure others into following in your footsteps, even if you think you’ve found the key to success.
• Time Management Techniques: Explore techniques like the Pomodoro method, which involves focused work intervals followed by short breaks. This can help maintain concentration and reduce overwhelm. For days when you just can’t be productive (It’s ok, we all have them) there is the reverse Pomodoro method which is characterized by short periods of focused work broken up by longer periods of distraction. Regardless of what method you use, you’ll still manage to be productive to a certain extent by the end of the day.
• Self-Advocacy Skills: Develop the ability to communicate your needs to teachers, parents, and counselors. This empowers you to request necessary accommodations and assistance. Simple accommodations could include sitting closer to the front to aid with vision impairment, or help taking notes. Remember that accommodations do not mean that you are somehow less than your peers.

Teachers have such a difficult job. A daunting and sometimes insurmountable-feeling task of educating hundreds of students each year between multiple classes. This can make it very difficult to attend to the differing needs of each student. So as much as inclusivity and independence are beautiful ideals, they aren’t always easy to institute in practicality. With that in mind, here are some of the tools I instituted when I was homeschooling my children.

• Create Visual Supports: Utilize visual aids like schedules, charts, and diagrams to enhance communication and comprehension for students. This helps to lower anxiety and allow the student a glance into what tomorrow holds for them.
• Flexible Learning Environments: Offer flexible seating arrangements and sensory-friendly spaces to accommodate individual preferences and sensory sensitivities. Once again, I recognize that this may not be feasible in every classroom, but it is something to consider if you are homeschooling.
• Clear Communication: Provide clear and concise instructions. Offer alternative means of communication, such as written or visual instructions, to cater to diverse learning styles.
• Embrace Neurodiversity: Foster an inclusive classroom environment that celebrates neurodiversity. Educate students about autism and mental health and promote empathy and understanding among peers.

The back-to-school season can be a period of growth and learning for individuals with autism, anxiety, and other mental health struggles. By implementing these tailored tips and tricks, everyone can contribute to a successful academic journey that is centered around organization, understanding, and effective anxiety management. Remember, each step taken towards creating an inclusive and supportive environment is a step towards ensuring a brighter future for all.