20 Essential Back-To-School Tips So 2018 Is Your Best Year Yet

Every year is a new opportunity to improve yourself and to show others what you’re capable of. It takes meaningful coordination between living a healthy lifestyle, time management, emotional maturity, and striking a balance between home and school to truly live your best life.

It may sound complex, but by following these helpful back-to-school tips, you can make small, simple changes in your life that will have hugely positive impacts throughout the year.

Here’s how to kick-start your school year to make 2018 your best year yet:

1. Plan goals: What to you want to do in 2018? Set specific and attainable goals for yourself throughout the year — not just for school but when reflecting on who you are as a person. Take a look at where you are and where you want to be: what can you do in the next year to help you achieve that? Learn more about setting SMART goals here.
2. Get supplies: Gather up your school supply essentials (don’t forget the personal planner and calendar) before the first bell of the year. Come up with a color scheme or design that shows off your personality and that helps you coordinate your schedule.
3. Find clothes you feel comfortable in (and donate the rest): Each school year is a new chance to demonstrate the new and improved you — more mature, engaged and ready to tackle the next year’s challenges. Try to find a new outfit — whether it’s brand new or borrowed from your bestie — that makes you feel confident and comfortable and wear it on Day 1. Keep the feeling going by investing in one item, like a new pair of sneakers or jeans, that you can re-wear throughout the school year. And the clothes you’ve grown out of or are no longer on trend? Those make great donations and hand-me-downs.
4. Get organized: A planner and calendar are a must when staying organized in school and practicing time management. Find one that reflects your style and attitude and keep it with you throughout the day. Digital apps that sync between devices can also be key resources.
5. Find ways to de-stress: Your brain misses important information when you’re feeling too much stress. Find what helps you relax and make time for it. Whether it’s doing yoga, getting an ice cream with friends, reading, playing sports or taking the dog for a walk — make sure you also devote some time to finding a balance between school and home.
6. Turn your desk or locker into a mini office: When you are at school, make the most of the space you have. Use locker-friendly organizational tools like pencil holders, mirrors, and tiny decorations, with suction cups or magnets. Show off your style, creativity and organizational skills with your own personal oasis.
7. Start the day off with breakfast: Research shows it’s true this meal is crucial to kick-off the day right. Breakfast foods that are low in added sugar while rich in fiber, whole grains and protein are more likely to give you essential nutrients like calcium and fiber, which help bolster concentration, memory and attention span. Make a plan in advance for what you’ll need to create an easy and healthy breakfast that you won’t want to skip. Check out these easy power breakfasts for when you’re on the go.
8. Decorate your life with inspiration: Stay motivated by clipping out your favorite people, places, things and quotes and keeping them within view. Homemade book covers are a great way to save money and protect your textbooks while keeping you inspired.
9. Lead by example: Embody the golden rule. Don’t be afraid to stand up for kindness and compassion, and show people who you are through your actions. By treating others with respect and dignity, you’ll receive it in return and inspire others to be their best selves, too.
10. Be bold: Don’t be afraid to try something new, even if it seems a little scary. If you’ve always wanted to try out for a musical but typically play sports, step up, be brave and bold, and go for it! If you want to try learning about coding or architecture or pole vaulting, don’t let inexperience hold you back — give it a try! You never know what undiscovered talents or passions you may have.
11. Choose healthy options: Pick an unhealthy item or two you’re used to eating and swap it for a healthier alternative. Used to Pop Tarts? Try grabbing some whole wheat toast with peanut butter. Love snacking on chips? Make a bag of light popcorn instead.
12. Clean room, clean mind: Experts say that a messy room in real life often reflects, or exacerbates, a mess in your head. Re-set your mental state by getting your house in order — literally. Clean, even re-arrange, your room and take a deep breath. Your clean and organized new space symbolizes an organized and refreshed mind.
13. Don’t forget to treat yourself: Another way to re-set your mind and spirit is to take a step away from the hustle and grind and reward yourself for all the work you’ve done. Appreciate the day or week’s victories, large or small, and take a break with something like ice cream, a movie, a day with friends, or a day by the pool.
14. Contribute to the community: Giving back is both rewarding and an important aspect of community life. Find ways to volunteer or lend your skills to those in need. Donate unused or gently used items others can still benefit from, or hold a fundraiser for a local organization. No contribution is too small.
15. Take notes: Keep a small notebook or pad of sticky notes with you. Inspiration, ideas or solutions to problems can strike at any moment — make sure to have something to write it down so you don’t forget. You’ll thank yourself later.
16. Save: That extra change you just found in your junk drawer? Set it aside and save. Clean an old coffee can, water jug or other container and begin stocking up on change and miscellaneous cash. Before you know it, you’re making your financial goals become realities.
17. Ask to be mentored: If you admire someone in your community, be it a teacher, coach or business owner, don’t be shy about asking to learn from them. Mentorships and apprenticeships are great ways to gain knowledge, experience and connections in an industry you’re interested in.
18. Keep a list of positives: Each day, write jot down three things you think you did well. No one is perfect, but if you put in the effort and care, then you’re on the right track — it’s good to remind yourself of that. Bonus tip: Write down things you like about yourself on scraps of paper, then place them in a jar. When you need a boost, pull one out.
19. Talk it out: Don’t be afraid to confide in a friend, parent, coach, family member, teacher or other staff member if you’re going through a tough time. Everyone needs help from time-to-time. Bottling up feelings only makes it worse, and often results in showing or managing your emotions in unhealthy ways. Speak up and reach out. Conversely, you never know what someone else is going through — be kind and compassionate.
20. Take the high road: Don’t let the negative actions or words of others cause you to lose your cool — when people get under your skin or don’t treat you kindly, take the high road. If the actions persist or you feel uncomfortable, don’t engage, tell a staff member. Someone else’s negativity isn’t worth your time, just stay focused on your goals.