Summer is almost over, and it’s time for students around the nation to get back to school. Whether you or a loved one are going back to grade school, high school, or starting college, we know this is a pivotal, exciting, and maybe even overwhelming time of the year, so we have compiled a list of back-to school tips for you and your family!
Back-to-School Tips
- Set goals for the school year: In addition to getting good grades this semester, students should consider taking the time to set some personal goals this school year. Setting goals will help you head into the year with purpose and passion.
- Keep a family calendar: As we stated, we know this time can be a little hectic for students and parents, so we suggest having a family calendar that keeps track of important dates, after school activities, big tests/projects, etc. This practice will help keep the whole family aware of what others have going on each week.
- Start the day with a healthy breakfast: Starting your day or your child’s day with a healthy breakfast is very important. Eating in the morning has been proven to help students focus, provide energy throughout the day, and support a healthy immune system. If you need assistance, you may be eligible for the School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, which can help students receive free or low-cost meals while they attend school (high school and under) if their families' household incomes meet the current income eligibility guidelines.
- Get involved: Studies have shown getting involved in extracurricular activities is not only great for students to unwind outside of academic work, but it is also a great way to meet new people in a new environment. Do some research on your school’s clubs, organizations, or sports that you or your child may be interested in starting and go for it!
- Stay organized: Being organized is the key to keeping things together and less stressful this school year. Get a planner and write things down such as important dates, tests, projects, and day-to-day activities and tasks, this will ensure you’re always a step ahead.
- Get a check-up: Before going back to school, it is suggested that students have a routine health check-up. Also, most schools require vaccinations and immunizations to be up-to-date before the first day of school. If you're not sure which vaccinations your state or school system requires, you can search by state using the U.S. Center for Disease Control's (CDC) school vaccination requirement reports. You can also view the recommendations for vaccinations and immunizations for children, preteens, teens, and adults using these vaccine schedules.
Additional Resources
If you are looking for more information on how to ensure your child’s back-to-school day is a success, read our article Helping Parents Prepare for Back-to-School.
Benefits.gov is wishing all our students and parents across the country a wonderful school year. Whether you are a new student or a returning student, we hope that you find these tips and resources to be helpful. For more information, or to find out which programs you may be eligible for, we encourage you to take the Benefit Finder questionnaire.
