| Although most of us are enjoying a relaxing summer | | | | Get rid of old books and papers that you no longer |
| break, the new school years stressful year and to | | | | use. When you do come across important papers, |
| avoid that last minute scurry before the first day of | | | | have a specific place to store them. A filing cabinet |
| school. Even if you don't have children or aren't | | | | would be a great investment, and it keep |
| attending school yourself, we can all benefit by using | | | | 4) Keep All School Supplies in One Area - Designate |
| this time to readjust our schedules and routines. is just | | | | one spot in your home for all your school supplies. |
| around the corner. August is the time to get ready for | | | | Spend 15 minutes each night tidying up this area. This |
| back to school by preparing ourselves with the proper | | | | will save time in the morning and avoid the panic of |
| supplies and organizational techniques. Follow these | | | | looking for misplaced items. Always have your |
| suggestions to create a less should have easy access | | | | backpack ready and your homework finished the night |
| to one central calendars such as school closings, | | | | before. Keep lunches prepared in the fridge and ready |
| vacations, appointments or meetings. | | | | to grab. |
| This will allow everyone to judge time accordingly for | | | | 5) Donate Old Clothes - Everyone wants to have a |
| car scheduling and pick ups. Designate each family | | | | few new items of clothing for the first day of school. |
| member a coloured marker to write activities to clearly | | | | Before you go shopping, look at the clothes you |
| see who has what coming up. In a backpack, keep a | | | | already own to see how they will work for the fall |
| daily planner and carry it at all times. Jot down | | | | season. Go through your closet and get rid of |
| appointments or project deadlines right away before | | | | outdated clothes and those that don't fit. If you haven't |
| you forget. Don't rely on memory - write it all down. at | | | | worn items in months or years, chances are you do |
| home. Keep one in your kitchen or den so everyone in | | | | not need them. Getting rid of these articles of clothing |
| your family can see what is on the agenda for the | | | | will make way for your new fall wardrobe. |
| weeks ahead. Record important date | | | | 6) Do it Now - Start shopping early for back-to-school |
| 1) Use Calendars - Prepare your calendar for the | | | | clothes and supplies. Don't wait until the weekend |
| upcoming school year. Family member | | | | before school starts. The stores will be crowded |
| 2) Only Buy What You Will Use - Organizing and | | | | which may cause unnecessary stress. Make shopping |
| prioritizing means making space in your room, home or | | | | a leisurely and enjoyable experience with your children |
| office to store new school work and supplies. Don't go | | | | or friends. |
| overboard buying new supplies thinking this will help | | | | Back-to-school can mean a fresh start for your |
| you be more organized. Rather, look at the basic items | | | | organizing routine. Prepare now to ensure you start |
| you use and only buy those. Make a list of the items | | | | the new school year on the right track. |
| you need and only purchase those items when | | | | If you enjoyed this article, please pass it along to |
| shopping. By gathering your pre-existing supplies, you | | | | others who would find it useful and sign up for our |
| can judge more effectively what extra supplies you | | | | Organize Anything newsletter on our homepage at |
| will need, and what has worked best for you in the | | | | Permission to reuse or redistribute these materials is |
| past. | | | | hereby granted provided they are reproduced or |
| 3) Get Rid of the Old to Make Room for the New - | | | | redistributed in their entirety with full attribution. |