By Debra E. Koss, MD

By now your mailbox has been stuffed with back-to-school fliers from local businesses. And you’ve seen the advertisements on traditional and social media announcing discounts on everything from school supplies to backpacks and fall clothing. But just because the retailers are ready for back-to-school, doesn’t mean that you or your child are feeling enthusiastic. Here are some suggestions to ease the transition and start your child off with a plan for a successful academic year.

1. Involve your child in back-to-school shopping. Encourage your child to choose items they like, including a backpack and school supplies. This serves as a reminder that the start of the school year is approaching. Your child may also be more likely to use supplies that he/she likes. Check with your child’s teacher for recommendations before purchasing classroom supplies such as notebooks and binders but don’t hesitate to advocate for an organizational system that you know works best for your child.
2. Visit your child’s school and classroom. If this is the first year your child will attend a school, take extra time to walk the halls and locate important rooms like the nurse’s office, the guidance counselor’s office, cafeteria, and bathrooms. If your child has special needs, schedule a meeting with his/her teacher and support person before the start of the school year.
3. Involve your child in establishing a quiet place to study and do homework. If your child will be returning to the same desk or study surface, begin by throwing away old or unnecessary supplies. Including paper, pens, pencils, and highlighters. Avoid locating the study area next to the TV or video games. It’s just too tempting!
4. Utilize a month-at-a-glance calendar (such as a wall-mounted dry-erase board) or a homework app or an electronic calendar to keep track of important dates such as tests, project due dates, and extracurricular activities. Any of these tools are a great way to help your child develop time management and organizational skills. Help your child to learn to transfer information from his daily agenda book to his calendar. Encourage your child to plan his week based on the calendar.
5. Be sure that you and your child are familiar with and have access to any web services or apps that his/her teacher or school will be using to share assignments or keep in touch with students. This is a good time to review safe and appropriate uses of electronics, as well as establish rules for electronic-free times (ex. dinner time) and electronic-free zones (ex.
   the bedroom).
6. Help your child identify a place to store school notes and graded assignments as they return home. Consider using a storage box with folders for each subject. Younger children will benefit from reviewing their work and noting their accomplishments. Older children will also need their notes to study for exams. Notes and other important documents can be organized using personal cloud-based storage systems like Google Drive or OneDrive.
7. Return to a consistent daily schedule, beginning with a healthy breakfast and a clearly established bedtime that will allow for a good night’s rest. Create a bedtime routine that allows your child to step away from high-energy activities and electronic devices.
8. Maintain a healthy balance between academic and extracurricular activities. Avoid
   over-scheduling. Include time for shared family activities (especially dinner) and physical exercise.
9. Finally, talk with your child about the new school year. Ask about concerns regarding the new grade level and classmates. Encourage your child to set their own goals for the new year. Goals can be in a variety of areas including academic, behavioral, and social.

Author Profile: 

Debra E. Koss, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry Rutgers-RWJMS
NJPPC Project Manager for the New Jersey Psychiatric Association