Back to School Prep: Tips for a Smoother Week

The last time I wrote a post about Back-to-School Prep was in 2018. Back then, my child was 9. As I write this in 2026, I have an almost 18-year-old senior in high school. His last year before college.

Holy crap, we’ve made it.

Since then, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve also made a lot of things my past self would have needed to make school life easier. So I’m gathering it all here for us: the systems, routines, reminders, and little ways I like to reset myself for school.

Perhaps I can leave a trail of knowledge behind for those of you who are just beginning your journey through school?

Here’s how I do Back-to-School Prep!

The first thing I do is consult my calendar. You can see my planning ecosystem here:

Tracy’s Tracking Tools

All of the ways I anchor myself every week. From planners to worksheets, you can find the most comprehensive look at how I use paper to make my life work. This is where a lot of my handwriting practice comes in!

I also refer to my meal planning guides!

Meal Prep/Planning Pack

I find it helpful to refer to my meal planning/prep lists at the beginning of the school year. If you haven’t made yourself a comprehensive reference, mine will help you get started.

Make yourself a binder so you have something to reference.

Easy Back-to-School Dinner recipes that keep the whole family happy—even on the busiest school nights.

Easy Back-to-School Dinners

The first few months of the new school year are quite precarious. Maybe you have sports to contend with or other after-school activities? Here’s a reminder of simple dinners you can put on the table in no time.

While we are talking about meals…

Need meal train ideas? Here are comforting, practical meal train meals that actually help families during busy seasons, postpartum recovery, grief, illness, or hard times. Includes casseroles, soups, breakfast ideas, snacks, freezer meals, healthy meal train ideas, and easy dinners that reheat well. Perfect for new moms, friends in need, or community care planning. From Tracy Benjamin of Shutterbean.

Meal Train Food Ideas

Life happens, and we need to support others during a tough time. I put together this list of meals + treats if you’re part of a meal train.

School Snack Ideas

My child is a snacker! I wonder where he gets that from? This post will remind you of some good/healthy snacks you can either put in a lunchbox or have after school.

LUNCHBOX IDEAS

Ahhh, the days when I packed lunches.

(I never thought it would end!)

There’s inspo in my Back to School Lunch prep!

What’s in My Pen Bag?

Have to shop for school supplies? I share all my favorites in this post! Maybe you’ll get yourself a fun new pen while you’re shopping for your kiddos?

Creating a Homework Station is a great way to get yourself ready for the new school year! See more on Shutterbean.com

Create Your Own Homework Station

I LOVE CRAYOLA PENS

Perhaps I can convince you to put some Crayola markers to good use? Have some fun with your children’s pens!

Creating a Morning Routine

Need to get your head in the right place in the morning? Break down your morning with a list!

How to Work Your Way Out of a Food Rut

You are going to need this sometime during the year. It happens. Sometimes it’s like clockwork. Don’t worry, I have solutions.

Recipes for When You’re Sick!

Capping it off with a reminder to take good care of yourself. The first few months of school bring a lot of germs into your home. This post will help you remember to drink plenty of fluids.

The goal of Back-to-School Prep isn’t to have everything perfectly organized. It’s to do a few things now that make your life easier for you later!

After all these years, I’ve learned:

-prepare what you can

-make adjustments when you need to

-keep going!

If you’re at the beginning of your school journey, I hope something here helps make your life easier. You don’t have to have it all figured out. As you can see, it takes years of practice. Here’s to a good school year. We’ve got this!