The Ultimate Back to School Guide 2022

The summer is winding down and it's almost time to go back to school. For students, this can be an exciting time as they get to see their friends again and learn new things. But for parents and teachers, the back-to-school season can be a little stressful. There's so much to do to get ready for the new school year!

To help you get ready for back to school, we've put together the ultimate guide. This guide covers everything from supplies you'll need, to how to prepare for the first day of school. We've even included some tips on making the most of your time in the classroom and getting good grades.

So whether you're a student, parent or teacher, our ultimate back-to-school guide has you covered. Get ready to have a successful and stress-free school year!

To make it even easier, as we go through each section, we will have tags underneath each title to show who should pay extra attention to ease the back-to-school experience.

What supplies do I need for school?

(Students + Parents + Teachers)

One of the first things you'll need to do when getting ready for back to school is to gather all of the necessary supplies. Every year, most teachers will send out a list of required and recommended supplies for their students. Be sure to check this list carefully and get everything that you need before the first day of school as well as make a few additions to make life easier. If you use the tag #BacktoSherpa in a social media post with your new school swag and comment on our post seen above, you can win some Sherpa classroom goodies!

Here are some general supplies that every student will need:

• Pencils

• Pens

• Paper

• Notebooks

• Binders

• Calculator

• Ruler or measuring tape

• Scissors

• Glue sticks

• Highlighters

• Sticky notes

Depending upon the age bracket of the class, some additional items may be required. Examples include:

• Laptop

• Tablet

• External hard drive

• Printer

• Speciality paper

• Art supplies

• Lab equipment

For the best back-to-school tech to get you ready for the classroom, check out some of these excellent deals in this article detailing the best tech deals available for 2022. In addition to the school supplies, there are also a few other things you may want to have on hand to make the transition back to school a little easier. These include:

• Planner or agenda to keep track of homework and assignments.

• A water bottle to stay hydrated during the day.

• A healthy snack to eat between classes.

• Extra set of clothes in case of spills or accidents.

• Any medications that you may need during the school day.

If you're unsure about what supplies you need, talk to your teacher or another student who has already been through the grade that you're going into. They'll be able to give you some helpful advice.

How do I prepare to go back to school?

(Students + Teachers)

The first day of school can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. To help you feel more prepared, we've put together some tips on what to do the night before and the morning of the first day.

Here are some things to do the night before the first day of school:

• Pack your backpack with all of the supplies you'll need for the day.

• Double-check your schedule and make sure you know where classes are.

• Choose an outfit to wear that is comfortable and presentable.

• Get a good night's sleep! You'll want to be well rested for your first day back.

And here are some things to do on the morning of the first day:

• Eat a healthy breakfast to start your day off right

• Give yourself plenty of time to get to school so you're not rushed or stressed

• Find your form room and introduce yourself to your teacher

• Sit up front in your classes so you can focus and pay attention

• Smile and be friendly to your classmates!

By following these tips, you'll be sure to have a successful first day back at school.

How to make the most of your time in the classroom

(Students)

Once the school year is underway, it's important to make the most of your time in the classroom. These tips will help you be a successful student and get good grades.

• Pay attention in class and take good notes

• Participate in class discussions and ask questions

• Do your homework as soon as you get home

• Study for tests and exams

• Get help from your teacher or a tutor if you're struggling with the material

• Stay organized and keep track of important due dates

• Take breaks when you need them, but don't procrastinate

• Be positive and stay motivated!

What do you say on the first day of school?

(Teachers)

When you're meeting your students for the first time, it's important to make a good impression. We don't need to tell you the difference in grades between students that enjoy certain classes compared to those who don't. Here are some things you can say on the first day of school to set the tone for the year:

"I'm so excited to have you in my class!"

"I'm looking forward to getting to know each of you this year."

"I'm here to help you learn and grow, so please don't hesitate to come to see me if you need anything."

"We're going to have a great year together!"

By saying something positive and upbeat, you'll put your students at ease and let them know that you're looking forward to teaching them. This will set the tone for a great year of learning.

How do you mentally prepare for school?

(Parents)

Back-to-school time can be just as stressful for parents as it is for kids. If you're feeling anxious about your child starting or returning to school, here are some tips to help you mentally prepare:

• Talk to your child about their feelings and listen to their concerns

• Visit the school beforehand so you can both get familiar with the building and the classrooms

• Meet the teacher and introduce yourself

• Ask the teacher about their expectations for the year

• Find out what the school's policy is on communication and stay in touch with your child's progress

• Set up a regular homework routine so your child knows what to expect

8 things teachers want you to know when going back to school

(Students)

As a student, meeting your new teachers for the first time can be a traumatic experience, normally for no comprehensible reason except anxiety. Teachers aren't really that scary. If teachers could give you some advice prior to arriving in their classroom at the start of a new term. The advice would generally be as follows:

1) Don't sweat on the academia

No teacher expects you to have already learnt everything in the curriculum already, so try not to freak out if you don't know some of the concepts they mention in the early weeks. Especially if you have never covered them before.

2) Your learning style is unique to you, so study in a way that works best for you

Everyone has their own distinct learning style and it can be hard for teachers to cater for everybody. Because of this, it is worth having a discussion with your teacher to determine which way you work best so lessons can be altered and tailored specifically for you in certain aspects. You can learn more about learning styles from one of our previous blogs here.

3) Get involved in extracurricular activities and clubs- they're a great way to make friends

Support systems are a critical aid when it comes to maximising learning. There is a reason why you can't go into surgery without an adequate support system and the same is true for education. So going to after-school clubs and taking part in sports is pivotal to helping you develop.

4) Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it

If you are struggling with something, just say. You'll kick yourself if you don't and the teacher will be more receptive to you asking before an exam than complaining afterwards. Trust me.

5) Expect the unexpected

Admittedly, this is a bit wishy-washy, but it's true. You can meticulously plan everything for the nth term (check out our free maths lessons if you haven't already) and still be taken aback by something unexpected at school.

6) We all have tough days

Each day is unique and some will be better than others. Trying to maintain a level attitude is key to maximising learning. Not getting too down on your bad days or too high on the good days is the best way to approach a level of contentedness at school which will improve your confidence.

7) Teachers are people, contrary to popular belief

Treat teachers kindly please, they have feelings just like you. Also, they know exactly how you might be feeling as they've been in the exact position as you at some point in time.

8) Communication is essential

If you are struggling, ensure that you talk to someone. Whether you feel like your mental health is suffering or you just cant grasp a topic there is always someone to talk to.