Our back to school guide with 15 back to school tips

What are the essential things to look for when 

going back to school?

There are so many things to consider as you prepare your child for going back to school. On an emotional and physical level, there’s thinking about ways to manage the inevitable back-to-school anxiety, and setting healthy sleeping and eating habits after the long and lax summer break. More practically, there’s buying uniform, sports kit, school bags and stationery. It can all add up to quite a list of things to consider. But, don’t worry, that’s where we can help with our top back to school tips.

Getting back to school supplies

While it may be easier to pop out on your own to buy your child’s school supplies, it’s definitely preferable to take them along with you. Set a date and make it something of an occasion - that way, they’ll feel far more invested in going back to school. Choosing their own supplies, clothes, backpack and lunchbox will engage your child and increase their excitement about school, as they’ll use all the new things they’ve chosen.

1. Choosing the right school bag

Choosing the right school bag for your child - one that is robust and comfortable - is crucial. This bag is going to see a lot of action over the year, so it’s worth buying a good one. Here are a few tips on choosing a good one: Make sure:

• it’s the right size - big is not necessarily better for a small child. The more room there is, the more your child will fill it - and end up carrying a heavy load. The bag you choose should be proportional to your child's height.

• it has two broad, padded shoulder straps - that are adjustable to distribute weight evenly between both shoulders. Non-padded straps can be uncomfortable, and dig into your child's shoulders.

• it has a padded back - for increased comfort.

• it includes a waist belt or chest strap - belts and straps help redistribute the weight of the backpack evenly across the body.

• it has compartments: to evenly distribute the weight of contents throughout the backpack.

2. Picking up new school clothes

Buying new school uniform is not every parent’s favourite job - but here are ways to make it all a little less painful and expensive.

• Think ahead - shops often have sales a few months before school starts.

• Buy clothes a size bigger, if possible. Not only will the clothing last longer, but your child could have a growth spurt over the summer break!

• If the uniform doesn’t need to be branded, you could buy the cheaper supermarket equivalent and make significant savings.

• Choose dark socks or tights rather than white or lighter colours - they don’t show the dirt.

• Many schools have uniform sales where you can buy second-hand clothes.

And remember! Once you do have the uniform - put name labels in everything, so that your little one’s jumper doesn’t end up in someone else's rucksack.

3. Other back-to-school essentials

Unfortunately, there’s still more to buy - pens, pencils, notebooks, water bottles, the list goes on. Ask your child to write a list if they can. That way they’ll feel super involved in the purchase.

Want to make your back-to-school shopping cheaper? Fortunately, this is a subject that we have a fair amount of knowledge on, check out these useful articles for some good advice:

• Back to school allowances in the UK

• Back to school vouchers in Australia

• Free back to school supplies in US

Managing back-to-school anxiety

While going back to school is an exciting time for many children, for others it’s a real source of anxiety. And that can be for any number of reasons - worry over friendships, feeling the pressure of schoolwork and exams, and even difficult relationships with certain teachers. It’s not always an easy world to navigate - and most children at some point in their school lives will feel stressed. Here we can offer some tips on how to help children deal with the stress and worries of going back to school.

4. Listening to your child’s worries

Clearly, before you can address any issues your child may have, you need to understand what’s causing their worries. Giving them the chance to open up is one of the biggest things you can do as a parent or carer to support their wellbeing. Even though you can’t solve every problem when your child is struggling, you can make them feel seen and understood – and this in itself can make them feel more able to cope.

Talking about how they are, how their day has been, and what’s on their mind as part of everyday family life shows your child that you're interested in them, and want to listen. But talking isn't always easy. Lots of children and young people find it easier to talk while doing an activity, or when they’re out-and-about with you. This takes the pressure off because they don’t feel under the spotlight; or that they have to sit still and make eye contact all the time. 

Having something to do with their hands, or something practical to focus on, can also make it easier for some children and young people to reflect or think more clearly. Rather than feeling like a ‘big chat’, the conversation can start more naturally while you’re both doing something you enjoy.

5. Reassuring children and modelling calm behaviour

Some say, ‘parents are only ever as happy as their unhappiest child’. So when your child is stressed and has school worries, it can really affect you deeply. However, as difficult as it may be - you must try not to show or project your own anxiety. That will only make your child worse.

But, of course, you’re not super-human. So, make sure you reach out to friends and family for support. Always say ‘yes’ to offers of help - so that you get a little breathing space. 

6. Talking to the school

Once you've understood what’s causing your child’s anxiety, it’s well worth talking to the school. Speak to the class teacher or tutor group lead, the pastoral lead, or the school’s SENCO. And make a plan to help your child cope better. Listen to what help the school can offer. And then arrange a time (after a few weeks) to check in and see if things have progressed. 

If the person you’re speaking to isn’t helpful or empathetic, find someone else who is - such as their head of year or the deputy head. If you need to, you can also escalate the problem to the head teacher, governors, academy trust or the Local Education Authority.

Setting healthy habits

Over the long summer holidays, normal routines, quite normally, go out of the window. But as the school term approaches, it’s time to start setting those healthy habits again. 

7. Establish a good sleep routine

Getting enough sleep is critical in helping a child to get the most out of school. Lack of sleep leads to poor concentration and difficulty in learning.

• Set a consistent bedtime for your child to stick to every night. 

• Set a calming pre-bedtime routine which may involve a bath or shower and bedtime stories. And, make your child feel safe and loved, by tucking them in and saying goodnight to them.

• Turn off electronic devices well before bedtime.

• Try to keep the rest of home as quiet and calm as possible when younger children are trying to fall asleep.

The optimal amount of sleep for most younger children is 10-12 hours per night, and for adolescents (13-18 years of age) is in the range of 8-10 hours per night.

8. Getting organised

The better organised you and your child are, the more smoothly going back to school will be. It’s a good idea to buy your child a calendar, mark when school starts, so they can visually see when school will start again. Hang the calendar in their room and let them mark off each day with a colourful pen until the new school year starts. When school does start they can write down key dates in their school term.

When school term begins, it’s good to get packed lunches, school uniform and school bags ready the night before. That way you can have a relaxed start to your day.

9. Discussing homework habits

Children enjoy school when they understand the topics they’re studying. And usually, good-quality homework is key to this understanding and achieving good grades. To help with your child’s homework, discuss the environment in which they are studying. Is it quiet enough for them? Does it offer them enough space? Can it be a spot for them to consistently use? 

Besides the environment, it’s important to make sure they aren’t being distracted by other activities - social media, the Internet or TV usage. Also, make sure you schedule enough time for homework. Build this time into choices about participating in after school activities.

 10. Planning healthy lunches

Just before we think about lunches, let’s talk breakfast. It’s important to note: studies show that children who eat a nutritious breakfast function much better. They do better in school, and have better concentration and more energy. Some schools provide breakfast for children; if yours doesn’t, make sure they eat a breakfast that contains some protein at home. 

When it comes to putting together a healthy packed lunch, ask your child about the healthy food that they like to take to school. Maybe it’s a particular fruit or vegetable, which you can pack, as well as a healthy sandwich.  

If your child’s school has a cafeteria, it may well send menus home and/or have them posted on the school's website. With this advance information, you can plan on packing lunch on the days when the main course is one your child doesn’t like.

The day before school starts

The day before the big day! Make sure you’re all completely prepared. Have you got all the right uniform and equipment? How will you get to school? What will your child eat on the first day? Have a plan prepared to ensure the first morning is stress-free, and an enjoyable experience. 

11. Planning the route

Whether your child is very young, and so will need accompanying, or if they’re old enough to travel alone, it’s well worth doing a practice run with them to the school gates before school starts. That way, you can work out the best route and timings - you don’t want them to be late on their first day.

Whichever way they’ll be travelling, safety procedures should always be followed. It’s your job as a parent to ensure they know how to travel safely. If they’ll be walking, they should know safe road practice, and know how to cross a road safely. In cars and buses they should wear seatbelts (if provided on buses), and always wear bright clothing and a bike helmet when cycling.

12. Making sure bags are packed

To avoid last minute panics, make sure your child’s school bag is packed the night before, with everything they’ll need for their first day. Plus, make their packed lunch (if they are having one) the night before, too. When getting lunch, or a snack ready for school, include a little note in the lunchbox to show your kids that you care, and that you think about them during the day, even if they are away.

 13. Discussing the morning routine

Some children will know what to expect when going back to school, but for your little ones it’s best to prepare them. Discuss what time they will need to wake up. Tell them what time they need to be at school, and discuss how they will get there and get back. The more aware they are in the planning of going back to school, the more engaged they'll feel.

14. Waking up on time

Waking a child up to go to school can be a parent’s worst nightmare. Those sleepy heads just don’t want to get out of bed. But, if you get them a fun alarm clock - one that they choose and then set every night, you make them more invested in getting up for school. If you do have to wake them - do so with adequate time to have breakfast and do all your morning preparations.

Support a loved one getting back to school

Every year many of our customers use our services to send money back home to support a loved one’s education. So, thanks to customer insights over the years we’ve become somewhat expert in the subject. Here’s a back to school guide we wrote for our website about preparing to get back to school and the costs involved.

And that’s not all. For more insights head over to our blog. You’ll find a selection of helpful and informative articles put together especially for people living and working abroad.

If you need to send financial support for a loved one’s studies, we’re here for you, too. We can offer you a fast, secure and low-cost money transfer. So, you’ll know that your money gets where it needs to be quickly and efficiently. 

The contents of this blog post does not constitute legal or financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.