Back to School will arrive before you know it, so it’s best to get organized now! Making sure you are ready in advance helps to alleviate the stress of starting a new school year. Tutor Doctor has some helpful tips to make sure you are prepared:
Make a list of all the common supplies you will need. Writing down everything you’re going to need is a sure-fire way to avoid forgetting anything when shopping for school supplies! There are certain items you already know you’re going to need – pens, pencils, erasers, ruled paper, notebooks – so you can safely purchase them knowing they’ll go to good use. More advanced classes, however, may require more specific materials – which leads us to our next tip.
Consider classes that may require special equipment. Certain subjects will require you to have materials that are specific to that course. Many teachers will provide a list for students at the beginning of the school year, but there are certain items you can buy in advance. For example – geometry classes will always require a compass and protractor.
Hold off on expensive materials until you have received instructions. Although some higher-level algebra classes may also require more advanced items (like graphing calculators), these devices can be a costly investment and may be better to wait on. Your child’s teacher may require a certain model of calculator, and some schools may even provide these materials to students. However, you can still purchase inexpensive items that are guaranteed to be required.
Clear out your backpack of last year’s work. Although this may sound obvious, we often see students using the same notebooks and binders from last year. Avoid doing this! It’s always best to get new materials for upcoming classes to avoid any confusion. Don’t use the same spiral notebook you used last year, even if you’ve got leftover pages – save that for scratch paper and doodling!
Plan for summer prep if an upcoming class requires it. Many AP classes will require prep work during summer vacation. AP English teachers, for instance, will often assign a “reading list” to prospective students at the close of the prior school year. It’s important to stay on top of these requirements – you don’t want to find yourself rushing to read a long novel at the last minute!
Use school resources to make sure you’re prepared. It’s not uncommon for schools to have a list of common course materials on their website. In today’s day and age of technology, teachers will often have links to their own personal web pages where you can view specific requirements for the class you will be taking. Take advantage of these resources to better prepare yourself for the upcoming school year!
From all of us here at Tutor Doctor, we wish all our students an exciting and stress-free Back to School!
