As the back-to-school season approaches, young families and post-secondary students are getting ready to shift gears from summer relaxation to a more structured routine. Here’s how to get your apartment ready for a smooth transition into the new school year.

Prepare a Dedicated Study or Homework Zone

Even if your apartment doesn’t have a separate room for a home office or study space, you can still carve out a functional area. Choose a quiet corner with good lighting (natural light is ideal) and set up a small desk and chair. Keep essentials like notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters, chargers and sticky notes nearby to minimize distractions and maximize productivity.

To help stay focused, try facing the desk away from your TV or high-traffic areas. If space is limited, consider a compact foldable desk or wall-mounted options that save square footage while still giving you a dedicated workspace.

Declutter and Reorganize

A tidy space can do wonders for your mindset. Before the school year kicks into high gear, take some time to declutter your apartment. Donate or store summer items you won’t be needing and make space for new outerwear, supplies, textbooks or devices.

Focus on key areas like your desk, entryway and closets. Use storage bins, drawer organizers and under-bed storage to keep your apartment neat and tidy. Adding wall hooks near your entryway is a simple way to keep backpacks, bags and jackets off the floor and within easy reach. The goal is to make your home feel refreshed, functional and ready for a busy fall schedule.

Set up a Routine-Friendly Kitchen

Back-to-school season often means tighter schedules, so it’s helpful to set up your kitchen for quick, easy meals. Start making a list of grab-and-go snacks like granola bars, fruit, veggies and yogurt. Make room in your fridge and pantry for meal prep containers so you can plan lunches ahead of time and cut down on weeknight cooking stress. You can also post a weekly schedule or meal planner on the fridge to help keep track of classes, appointments and dinners.

Consider dedicating a specific shelf or basket in the kitchen for lunch boxes, water bottles and utensils, so everything is easy to find during the morning rush. Keep a few ice packs in the freezer to help keep packed lunches fresh and safe throughout the day. Most importantly, don’t forget to stock up on coffee if that’s part of your morning ritual. Starting the day off right can set the tone for everything that follows.

Plan Ahead for Printing Needs

If you don’t have a printer at home, now’s a good time to figure out how you’ll handle printing during the school year. Check whether your campus or child’s school offers access to student printers, and find out how to connect to them and if there’s a fee.

Research local printing spots like UPS, office supply stores, libraries or nearby community centers just in case. Having a go-to place for printing assignments, forms or documents will save you from last-minute stress when deadlines start piling up.

Refresh Your Sleep Environment

A good night’s sleep is crucial for academic performance. If your summer schedule had you or your young ones staying up later than usual, now’s the time to reset that internal alarm clock. Start winding down earlier and create a relaxing bedtime routine.

Consider blackout curtains to block out light, or a white noise machine to drown out city sounds at night. Swap out older bedding for something new and cozy, and make sure your room is cool and clutter-free. Small changes like this can help you and your little ones adjust to the new bedtime routine so you can all feel well rested.

Restock Your First-Aid Kit

With the hustle of a new school year, minor scrapes, headaches or seasonal colds can sneak up on you. Take a few minutes to check and restock your first aid kit with essentials like bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, allergy medications, tissues and cold remedies. 

If you don’t already have a kit, now’s a great time to put one together. Having basic supplies on hand means you won’t need to run out to the store when you’re feeling under the weather or in a rush.

Stay Ahead With Maintenance

As you prep for back-to-school, it's also a good time to check in on any minor maintenance concerns. Heating issues, leaky faucets or clogged drains can become annoying distractions with an already busy schedule. Submit maintenance requests to your property manager early to avoid disruptions later in the year.

Also, make sure you’re up to date with renter’s insurance, emergency contacts and any building updates. Being organized now will help you stay focused when things get busy.