Back-to-School Organization: Storage Solutions for Students and Parents
Heading back to school means new opportunities for growth for kindergartners and college students alike—and not just academically. Getting all your ducks in a row for the start of the school year is essential to kicking off the semester on the right foot. Whether you’re the parent of a young learner preparing for the first day of first grade or a rising senior in college, this guide is chock full of back-to-school organizational and storage ideas so you can begin the year on a high note.
What School Supplies Should I Buy This Year?
Whenever August rolls around, local stores overflow with folders and pens galore. Deciding what school supplies will help you stay organized can be challenging when you can’t tell what will be helpful versus what will become excess clutter. Below is a list of school supplies you need to set you on track for academic success. Be sure to check if your school district has a list of required supplies by grade.
School Supplies for Elementary School
- Backpack
- Lunchbox or bag
- Pencil box with number-two pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, pencil grips, jumbo erasers, and blunt-tip scissors
- Reusable water bottle
- Wide-ruled notebook or loose-leaf paper secured in a binder
- Plastic folders
School Supplies for Middle School and High School
- Backpack
- Lunchbox or bag
- Texas Instruments (TI) graphing calculator
- College-ruled notebooks and loose-leaf paper in a binder
- Graph paper
- Index cards
- Weekly planner
- Number-two pencils
- Jumbo erasers
- Highlighters
- 12-inch ruler and protractor
- Scissors
- Blue, black, and red ballpoint pens
- White-Out
- Plastic folders or binders with tabbed dividers for organization by subject
- Reusable water bottle
School Supplies for College
The supplies you need will highly depend on your field of study. A math major likely won’t need art supplies, and a music major may not require an engineering calculator. Below are some generic supplies every student should have.
- Backpack
- College-ruled notebooks and loose-leaf paper in a binder
- Index cards
- Weekly planner
- Number-two pencils
- Highlighters
- Blue, black, and red ballpoint pens
- Plastic folders or binders with tabbed dividers for organization by subject
- Bluetooth earbuds or headphones
- Reusable water bottle
Back-to-School Organization Tips
Organization is a vital skill for students of all ages, from keeping assignments to maintaining a tidy space to do homework. But staying organized goes beyond color-coded folders and a well-kept planner. We’ve compiled valuable advice that will help you keep your space and mind clear for the upcoming academic year.
Making a Study Space at Home
Don’t fall into the trap of doing homework on the couch or in bed. To maximize productivity, focus, and the ability to memorize facts, experts recommend creating a designated study space in your home that is wholly devoted to schoolwork. Whether it’s a spot in the dining room, a desk in the basement, or the at-home office after hours, this should be somewhere that is well lit, comfortable, and free of distractions.
Store any necessary school supplies in this study space and remove excess items cluttering the area. If you don’t have enough room, consider developing a personal storage solution. Use bookshelves, labeled bins, and desk organizers to keep all supplies visible and organized. Be sure to keep any phones, televisions, or other attention-grabbing items out of reach, and consider using headphones to listen to distraction-free music, such as classical tunes and instrumental oldies.
Reorganizing Bedrooms for the School Year
Beginning your day with a clear mind begins when you first wake up. A clean and organized room improves mental health, aiding focus and emotional regulation in academic settings. To help maintain a clean bedroom, consider assessing your present belongings to see what could be donated to make room for new possessions.
- Update your closet. Go through your wardrobe to see what needs to be refreshed for the coming year. Replace any outgrown coats or pants, and find some new outfits to make you feel confident heading into class.
- Remove seasonal items. You won’t need snow boots in August. Find another spot for seasonal clothes and equipment in your home, and rent a heated storage unit if your living space lacks room.
- Decide on donations. Don’t try to find a home for belongings or clothing you’ll never use. Host a yard sale or bring unwanted items to a local donation center to revitalize them.
Creating a Back-to-School Routine
If you’ve been going to bed at 2:00 a.m. and sleeping until noon, you’ll need to get on a new schedule for the school year. In the weeks leading up to the start of classes, start setting alarms and plan on waking up to do some form of planned activity, whether exercising, running an errand, or embarking on a coffee run. You should also begin going to sleep at a reasonable hour, especially on weeknights, to make the mornings easier.
Storage for College Students
It should come as no surprise to incoming college students that there’s little storage space in college dorm rooms. You’ll likely have to cut the amount of your normal bedroom belongings in half to accommodate the rest of your life in a shoebox-sized living space. If you don’t want to leave things behind, renting a college storage unit can provide a secure place to store possessions when living in dorms, between leases, or between semesters.
Get Ready for the Semester With Daffodil Storage
If you’ve been searching for additional space to help you start the school year on the right foot, look no further than Daffodil Storage. We have storage units in a range of sizes available around Washington to suit all your student storage needs, from needing a spot for seasonal belongings to finding a temporary home for furniture while studying abroad. With a variety of amenities and features prioritizing security and convenience, we are ready to be your ideal storage solution this school year.
To get started, locate a storage facility near you and discover the perfect storage unit today—check out our FAQ page for answers to any questions you may have!