School Year, Sorted: How to Organize Your Home for Academic Success

Back-to-school season is here, and it’s time to trade the chaos of summer for the chaos of new schedules, new supplies, and new organization requirements. Even though it probably feels like a hassle and you don’t think you have the time, by carving out an hour or two to get things in order and spruce up your kids’ spaces now, you can set them up for a successful school year. Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Declutter Work Areas
Identify where the kids will be doing their homework and studying – a desk, the kitchen table, a beanbag chair in their room. If the area is a dedicated space, such as a desk or a corner of their bedroom, start by clearing out anything that is not school-related. Sort through last year’s supplies, tossing broken or dried-out writing materials and outdated papers. You can usually donate gently used items, such as extra notebooks, to local schools or charities. Bravely check last year’s backpacks for forgotten snacks and old reports. A clutter-free space makes a big difference in the ability to focus, and this is no different for kids.

Step 2: Create a Homework Station
Set up a dedicated homework area with all the essentials: pens, pencils, paper, a calculator, and a comfortable chair. If their homework area must serve other uses, a caddy (similar to the type used for cleaning products) will help keep supplies tidy, accessible, and portable so they can be put away when you need to clear a dining table for dinner. Include a timer that can be used to encourage focused work sessions. The space should be quiet and well-lit to boost productivity, but if quiet can’t be achieved, a set of noise-cancelling earmuffs will do the trick (I’m wearing a pair as I write this).

Step 3: Build a Family Command Center
A centralized hub keeps school schedules under control. Even if you rely heavily on a digital calendar as your main calendar, hang a family calendar in a high-traffic area, where everyone can see it, to track classes, extracurriculars, and parent-teacher meetings . Assign one family member to “sync” any digital calendars with the wall calendar at least once per week. Pick a place for permission slips and notices to go: a bulletin board or magnets on the fridge are good options as long as you make sure to review and declutter items on a regular basis.

Step 4: Teach Kids to Maintain Systems
Involve your kids in maintaining their spaces, which will encourage the building of responsibility. Start a daily 10-minute tidy-up routine before dinner or before bed—clear the desk, return supplies, check the calendar, and plan the next day. For younger kids, you’ll need to be heavily involved, but older kids can manage their schedules with your oversight. No matter their age, it’s a great idea to spend those 10 minutes tidying and planning as a family so that you can model the behavior and habits for your kids (and as a bonus, this will help you keep your own belongings and schedule in order). Teaching these habits early will set your kids up for lifelong organization success, so that they won’t need to hire us as soon as they leave home. You can transform your routines, household, and stress levels buy instituting these new habits.

Organized spaces help kids (and their parents!) focus, reduce stress, and build confidence as they make their way through the school year. A neat desk and an up-to-date schedule can make all the difference in their success at school and at home. Start this week by decluttering a study area, and watch how quickly it sets the tone for a smooth school year.