Back to School Tips for a Successful Start to the Year in Bradenton and Sarasota

Where did summer go? It's hard to believe students have already headed back to school — Manatee County started on August 10 and Sarasota County started on August 14.

Were you prepared for the new school year? Here are several tips to stay organized and have a successful start to the new school year:

1. Check School Supply Lists

Do you follow your school online? Most schools publish a school supplies list on their website several weeks prior to the start of the school year. If you missed a couple items, residents of Springs at Braden River and Springs at Palma Sola benefit from having convenient access to Office Depot in Bradenton, which offers everything students could need for school supplies.

If you prefer to skip the store, you can buy school supplies online through School Tool Box. Many schools in Bradenton and Sarasota uploaded their supply lists to this online resource to make it easy and convenient for parents to purchase the required school supplies online.

2. Establish a Morning Routine

Unfortunately, the summer schedule of sleeping in is over. The school bus comes early, so it's a good idea to adjust your schedule to accommodate your morning routine for the school year. Establish how much time you need in the morning to get your day started and move back your alarm clock accordingly.

To save time in the morning, pick out clothes the night before. If you have a young student that you'll be getting out the door in the morning, consider using a daily activity organizer to plan his or her outfits for the entire school week.

3. Create a Command Station

A command station is a central place in your apartment where you store backpacks, shoes, keys, mail and more. Placing a thin console table near your door and hanging a key rack will keep all of your daily essentials organized.

4. Pack Lunches the Night Before

One of the biggest time consumers in the morning is preparing lunches. Make your mornings a little less hectic by packing lunch the night before. Depending on the type of lunchbox you have, packing ahead of time may actually make your meal stay cooler longer. If you're in the market for a new lunchbox, The Sweet Home blog recently reviewed 20 of the top lunch boxes on the market and offers their best picks.

If you prefer not to pack lunch, check with your school to see if they offer an online prepay option for school lunches. By prepaying, you'll have the peace of mind knowing that your child receives a nutritious meal without having to pack a lunch every day.

Please share your best tips for getting organized for the school year in our comments section below.