Back to School Again
It is hard to believe, but summer break is coming to an end and soon the school year will start again. It does not matter if you are an elementary student, a high school student, a college student, or an educator. There is a lot of preparation to be done to ensure we are all ready for the upcoming school year.
Supplies
Every school district and individual classroom has different needs. Additionally, every school system has a different budget and can only afford so many supplies. This leads to schools and individual teachers issuing lists of supplies each student should have for the upcoming year. Most of these supplies are predictable such as pencils, paper, notebooks, and other basic tools. However, as children get older, they get smarter and the level and cost of the need supplies increases. An elementary student only needs the basics compared to a college student with advanced courses. Calculator, computers, and software programs become the requirement for advanced studies, and these can end up costing a small fortune. There is no easy way to save money on some of the required items, although it is possible to keep some of the costs down. Firstly, only buy what you need and are likely to use. Fancy notebooks and pens can get expensive. They might look nice, but they serve the same function as basic notebooks with inexpensive writing utensils. Secondly, make sure to commit to what you are doing. If you are not sure a specific class is right for you ask a council and research, it prior to purchasing required supplies. Finally, be organized. If you take inventory and have a list of exactly what you need you can reduce wasteful spending.
Style
Another part of the back-to-school season is getting a fresh look for the upcoming year. Retail stores, both brick and mortar and online, will have a ton of sales and promotions to entice you to shop. You will need to buy clothing, shoes, book bags, and countless other items. Just to make life harder, our children always want name brands and trendy items. Buying major brands can get expensive very quickly; however, there is a way to get what you need on a budget and keep the entire family happy. Look for sales whenever possible. Many name brand companies will offer discounts on older items so do not be afraid to spend some time looking at the clearance section. Additionally, knowing where to spend big and where to cut corners can help as well. Currently, the style trend puts a lot of emphasis on footwear. If you must make some choices spend big on the trendy shoes. This will keep the children happy and might help your case in convincing them to be more realistic on the price of the rest of their clothing. This is not a rule that must be followed. Shopping is all about compromise. Decide what items are important to yourself or a child and spend big on those and save a bit on the rest. No one needs every article of clothing they own to be designer.
Transportation
The rising cost of gas and the number of flight cancelations has made travel throughout the summer a challenge. Make sure to consider this when planning a trip to drop someone off at college or a boarding school. Additionally, the everyday commute to a local school can also be challenging. Every school has a different schedule, and we must work as well. Ensuring that everyone has a ride to school is a must. It doesn’t matter if they take a school bus, we drive them, or they walk. Every child must make it to school every day. The best way to tackle this challenge is to spend some time planning. Think about our work schedule, our responsibility to our children, and all other factors and come up with a plan that works. This plan doesn’t have to be consistent every day or every week. All that matters is we know how to get everyone to the appropriate place on time every day. Planning this out will lead to reduced stress and a more efficient weekly routine.
School is important. It is where we all learn how to be adults and professionals. The new school season is among us, and we must embrace all the challenges that comes with it. Remember to enjoy these family moments, and not to worry too much about the cost. Everything is expensive and prices only go up. Material goods hold little value compared to the memories we will all make this upcoming school year. Enjoy what is left of summer break and remember to be excited for the upcoming school year.