Back to School 2025: Fresh Starts, Routines, and Goals

New School Year, New Goals, and the Organized Reset We All Needed

This week marked a big shift in our house—back to school! On Monday, August 4th, my younger crew officially kicked off their first day: Aaediin, 17, started his senior year (how did that happen so fast?), Jude,10, headed into 5th grade, Jaxon, 9, began 4th grade, and Journey, 8, joined 3rd grade. The excitement, nerves, and new schedules hit us all at once, and our mornings are buzzing again with lunch prep, backpacks, and the smell of fresh pencils.

Meanwhile, my older two are carving out their own paths. My oldest daughter, Psi, is in her final semester at her community college in Mississippi, set to graduate this December after just three semesters. She’s already planning her transfer to a university this spring—though the choice is still up in the air! Hunter, my oldest son, is starting his first semester at a local college here in Georgia. Watching them all grow into their next chapters is equal parts thrilling and bittersweet.

As a mom of six, back-to-school season has always been more than just new clothes and sharpened pencils—it’s a fresh start for everyone in the family. It’s a chance to set new routines, build better habits, and focus on growth, both in and out of the classroom. This year, I wanted to be more intentional about how we approached it, so I put together a plan that has already made our mornings smoother and our evenings calmer.

Photo Credit: Parent Map

1) Setting Goals for the New School Year

Setting goals gives kids something to look forward to and work toward. For grade school, it can be as simple as reading one book per month, improving handwriting, or mastering multiplication tables. For teens and college students, think beyond academics: joining a new club, volunteering, or preparing for college applications are great motivators. Write these goals down together and revisit them monthly—it helps keep everyone accountable and motivated.

2) Tips for Building Good Study Habits

A successful school year starts with good study habits. Create a quiet, designated study space away from distractions, and stock it with essentials like pencils, paper, and chargers. Encourage the use of timers or apps to break study sessions into 25–30 minute blocks with short breaks in between—this keeps focus sharp. For older kids, planners or digital calendars can help track assignments and deadlines, reducing last-minute stress.

3) Establishing Nighttime Routines

Summer freedom often comes with late nights and irregular schedules. To ease the transition, we start bedtime routines a week before school begins. We dim lights, cut off screen time at least 30 minutes before bed, and switch to quiet activities like reading or talking about our day. A set bedtime routine not only improves sleep quality but also helps everyone wake up refreshed and ready for the day ahead.

4) Morning Routines That Work

Mornings set the tone for the entire day. We’ve found that prepping as much as possible the night before—laying out clothes, packing lunches, and placing backpacks by the door—makes a huge difference. We also wake up 15 minutes earlier than necessary to allow for breakfast without rushing. Even something small, like playing soft music or sharing a quick family chat at the table, helps keep mornings positive and calm.

5) First Day of School Prep Checklist

To keep things organized, here’s our go-to checklist for every first day:

• Backpack stocked with supplies (if you missed Meet the Teacher, like me, of course)

  • Make sure those pencils, notebooks, and folders are ready to go. Double-check the supply list from your school so nothing is forgotten, and keep extras handy for those last-minute surprises. If you missed Meet the Teacher, pack those supplies ahead so your child feels confident walking in.

• Clothes, shoes, and jackets ready

  • Lay out the first day’s outfit the night before (or even plan the whole week in advance). It takes the guesswork out of the morning and avoids the dreaded “I can’t find my shoes!” scramble. Include a jacket or sweater for those over-air-conditioned classrooms.

• Lunch and snacks prepped

  • Prep lunches the night before to keep mornings stress-free. Include a mix of nutritious foods and a small treat to brighten their day. Bonus tip: pack snacks separately in a labeled bag so they don’t get mixed up with lunch items.

• Any required teacher forms (online and offline) signed and returned

  • From emergency contact sheets to online portal updates, getting this paperwork done early saves headaches later. Check your email for any digital forms you may have missed. Have physical copies signed and packed safely in their folder.

• Early bedtime the week before

  • Ease into the school routine by adjusting bedtimes a week in advance. This helps kids reset their internal clocks and wake up feeling rested instead of groggy. A solid sleep schedule can make mornings—and attitudes—so much smoother.

• A photo to capture the moment

  • 1st Day of School Pictures are epic! Don’t forget the first-day photo! Whether it’s by the front door or in front of the school, these snapshots become treasured memories. Get creative: add a chalkboard sign or print the grade level on a small prop for a fun keepsake.

This season is a reminder that back-to-school isn’t just about our kids—it’s about us as parents, too. It’s an opportunity to reset, to slow down and savor these fleeting milestones, and to build routines that make our homes feel steady and peaceful amidst the chaos. If you’re in this season too, know you’re not alone. Share your tips, your wins, and even the chaotic moments—we’re all in this together, and there’s nothing more comforting than knowing someone else understands the juggle.

Here’s to a school year full of growth, learning, and memories worth holding onto—for our kids and for us.