From morning routines and homework zones to emotional check-ins, a professional organizer shares strategies to start the school year smoothly.

The scent of freshly sharpened pencils, the squeak of brand-new sneakers and the abrupt end to summer’s slow mornings—it can only mean one thing: back-to-school season has arrived. Whether you’re waving goodbye to a kindergartener for the very first time or juggling multiple school schedules, after-school activities and work deadlines, those first weeks set the tone for the entire year.

Before diving in, gather the family and read through these 10 tips to get your family organized and in rhythm. Keep the conversation clear and focused because nearly every one of these strategies comes down to planning ahead—and planning ahead means fewer frantic mornings and forgotten assignments, and more time for connection. Start the year in sync, with shared goals and clear expectations.

1. Start the schedule shift before the first day

If you wait until the night before school starts to move bedtime earlier, you’ll have a week of cranky mornings. Begin adjusting bedtimes and wake-up times 10–15 minutes earlier each day about a week before school starts. This gradual shift helps everyone’s body clock reset without a shock to the system. Talk to one another about why it’s important to plan ahead.

Pro tip: Keep the bedtime routine consistent on weekends during the first month—your mornings will thank you. 

2. Create a launch pad 

A “launch pad” is a designated spot for everything that needs to leave the house each morning: backpacks, lunchboxes, homework folders, sports gear, instruments. etc. No more last-minute scrambles to find a missing soccer cleat or permission slip.

Keep it near the door you use most often, and teach your kids to load it the night before. This simple habit turns frantic mornings into smooth departures.

Pro tip: You can start adding to the launch pad the night before – when permission slips are signed, homework is repacked into the backpack, etc. 

3. Use a family command center

Every household needs this. A wall calendar, dry-erase board or shared family app can be the brain of your household. Color-code each family member, include school events, extracurriculars, and deadlines. Review the calendar together every Sunday evening to spot conflicts before they happen. Plan ahead several months noting all the school holidays and family visits. Whatever you know about what’s coming up, make sure it lands on the calendar. 

Bonus: When kids see the big picture, they start learning time management skills—and parents stop feeling like human Post-it notes.

4. Streamline lunches and snacks

The morning rush is not the time to be debating sandwich fillings. Create a weekly lunch plan and prep what you can in advance. For example, wash fruit, portion snacks and pre-make sandwiches that freeze well.

Consider a “lunch bin” system in the fridge and pantry: kids pick one item from each bin (protein, fruit/veg, snack) to build their lunch. This not only saves you time but encourages independence. 

Pro tip: Hang a pad/pencil just inside the pantry door to jot down items you’re running low on. 

5. Outfit planning isn’t just for fashionistas

Avoid the “I have nothing to wear!” drama at 7:15 a.m. by planning outfits for the week on Sunday night. For younger kids, use labeled bins or hang outfits together with socks and accessories. For older kids, encourage them to do the same with their own style.

Bonus: This eliminates the midweek scramble when you realize the only clean uniform shirt is buried in the laundry pile.

6. Build a homework habit early

Don’t wait until the first big project to figure out where and when homework will happen. Designate a well-lit, distraction-free homework zone stocked with pencils, paper and any supplies your kids regularly use.

Establish a homework start time that fits your family’s rhythm—some kids work best right after school, others after a snack and break. Add homework times to the family calendar. Consistency beats chaos.

7. Teach the “reset” at day’s end

The first month of school is prime time to instill the habit of resetting spaces. Before bedtime, have a quick 10-minute tidy where everyone puts away shoes, clears the counter and packs up for the next day. Think of it as your “closing shift” at home. Small daily resets prevent big weekend clean-ups. 

Pro tip: Keep a light-weight basket or box solely for this end-of-day sweep. As you go through the house, use the basket to carry things from where they ended-up, back to their respective rooms/areas.

8. Keep mornings screen-free

Tempting as it is to hand over a tablet while you finish your coffee, screens can derail your schedule faster than you can say “missed the bus.” Save screen time for after school or evening.

In the morning, keep the focus on getting ready. Music works wonders—make a “Morning Motivation” playlist to keep energy up and kids on track. Find ways to get the house ready for your return. 

9. Prep for the unexpected

Inevitably, someone will wake up sick, an alarm won’t go off, or the dog will escape right before you need to leave. Build a “Plan B” into your routine:

• Keep an emergency stash of breakfast bars and extra lunch money.
• Have a trusted neighbor or friend who can give a ride if needed.
• Keep a spare change of clothes (for younger kids) in the backpack.

Preparation turns potential disasters into manageable hiccups. I call it, “thinking about what may be coming up next.” 

10. Check in emotionally

Back-to-school season isn’t just a logistical adjustment—it’s emotional, too. Kids might be nervous, tired or overwhelmed. Take five minutes at the end of each day to ask open-ended questions like, “What was the best part of your day?” or “What’s something you’re proud of today?” Setting phones and screens aside, a lot of families make these conversations a routine part of family dinner time. While it may not seem like a big deal, this small habit keeps you connected, helps spot problems early and reinforces that home is a safe place to land.

The first month back to school can feel like a sprint, but it’s really a warm-up for the marathon of the school year. Organization is less about color-coded perfection and more about planning ahead, and creating habits that reduce decision-fatigue, save time and keep family life running smoothly.

Start small, be consistent and remember: your goal isn’t to do everything, but to do the right things that make your household calmer, happier and more connected.

Dr. Regina Lark is a professional organizer, productivity expert and founder of A Clear Path, a Los Angeles-based company specializing in decluttering and move management. She is also the author of “Psychic Debris, Crowded Closets: The Relationship Between the Stuff in Your Head” and “What’s Under Your Bed.” Learn more at www.aclearpath.net.