Supercharge your 2025 with 9 simple back-to-school tips

Claire Halliday

Heading to school, or back to school, needs preparation and organisation. To help stay on track, these nine back-to-school tips can help you set your student up for success.

1. Labels prevent loss

Lost school supplies and uniforms can blow out a family budget quickly and with the current cost-of-living crisis already adding stress, labels are an easy and affordable way to help students hold on to their belongings.

From books to backpacks, lunch boxes and drink bottles – and, of course, the school hats that are so important for sunsmart schooling – adding labels makes everything easier when it comes to the weekly sift through the lost-and-found tub.

If you’re handy, they can be sewn. But easy-to-apply stick-on labels are also great. To reduce the expense, though, consider a laundry marker for just a few dollars. If you are planning to sell school uniforms back to your school’s secondhand uniform shop, though, it’s worth remembering that labels can be easily removed to suit a future wearer.

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2. Practise makes perfect

Whether you’re sending a first-time little on their way to the schoolyard, or seeing off an older student transitioning from primary school to secondary school, there’s a lot of value in rehearsing the routine.

How long does it take to get ready in the morning? What time does the public transport leave, or how long does it really take to walk/ride/drive there? By doing a couple of run-throughs, you can iron out any issues in perfect prep for the real big day.

3. Bedtime boundaries

School holidays are fun but, in the lead-up to back-to-school life, sleep matters.

Edging your way toward a better back-to-school bedtime routine in the week before school starts can help save some tired tears in those early days, even if putting those boundaries into place may not be a popular move with children and teenagers used to late nights.

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4. Look after their backs

Schoolbags can be heavy, so taking the time to adjust your child’s backpack – preferably one with wide, padded straps – is a smart way to help protect their back from the weighty return to school.

An ergonomic backpack and the best possible strap adjustment is better for your child’s posture and makes carrying school supplies easier.

5. Reinforce rules around road safety

Reinforcing road safety rules is vital to help your child travel to and from school. A few trial walks for smaller children walking to school independently for the first time is a great way to remind them of the safe places to cross roads and remind them what to look out for to stay safe.

Mapping out the safest path with your child familiarises them with the route and also helps you identify any potentially unsafe areas. Remind them to avoid poorly lit, isolated areas and to always use pedestrian crossings and lights if they’re available. Discussions around stranger danger never go astray either but focus on ways to empower them and seek help, rather than instill fear and anxiety.

6. Create a quiet homework zone

Creating a dedicated homework space is about creating a mindset for academic success. It may be a quiet corner of their bedroom, a section of the living room, or even just part of the dining table – but it sends a signal to your child that their schoolwork is a priority that needs focus and attention.

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Let them choose some supplies or decorative touches to personalise the special space and make sure they have easy access to all the necessary materials, such as pens, paper, calculators, or tech tools.

7. Avoid school supply stress

School supplies can be exciting – but also potentially confusing. For little ones starting school for the first time, taking the time to show them all their special stationery and books can help them feel confident about what to reach for when the teacher asks.

Older kids may need time to explore the wonders of a protractor or compass, or grapple with the machinations of an advanced scientific calculator.

If the amount of text books and folders seems enormous, make sure clear labelling helps them know what’s what so they can put their hands on the right items at the right time.

8. Celebrate their new beginning

Kicking off their new academic year with a small celebration is a fun way to say goodbye to the holidays and hello to their new life as a student in 2025. Whether it’s a special breakfast, a family outing, or a back-to-school tradition you can begin in your own family, celebrations can help add excitement and happy anticipation to the school year adventure that awaits.

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9. Plan a fun weekend ahead

If the idea of heading to school for a new term is causing some stress for your child, give them something to look forward to at the end of each school week by planning some family fun time. It doesn’t have to add to your back-to-school budget – a simple planned trip to their favourite playground or skate park, making a much-loved meal together, or arranging a catch-up/playdate with a school friend can all help make the return to the classroom smoother…and happier.

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Claire Halliday has an extensive career as a full-time writer - across book publishing, copywriting, podcasting and feature journalism - for more than 25 years. She lives in Melbourne with children, two border collies and a grumpy Burmese cat. Contact: claire.halliday[at]educationdaily.au