How to Create Your Back-to-School To-Do List for a Calm, Organized Fall

Save it for later!

Tackle Your Back-to-School To-Do List for a Stress-Free Start to the School Year

Back-to-school to-do list planning may not sound exciting, but it’s one of the most effective ways to ease the transition from summer to the school year. As the lazy days of summer wind down, it’s easy to feel that familiar shift—when emails start arriving with school supply lists, your kids suddenly need new clothes, and your calendar begins filling up with meet-the-teacher nights and tryouts.

For many moms, this time of year feels more like the “real” new year than January 1st. It’s a fresh start—but only if you feel prepared.

Whether you’re sending a kindergartener off for the first time or helping your teen settle into their final year, having a clear, organized plan makes everything smoother. Instead of scrambling during the last weeks of August, you can approach the season with a calm, confident mindset.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to create a back-to-school to-do list that helps you feel grounded, in control, and ready to start the school year with ease.

Step 1: Reflect on the Summer and Reset Your Intentions

Before diving into errands and supplies, take a moment to reflect. What worked well for your family this summer? What do you wish had gone differently? What routines do you want to bring into the new school year and even consider for next year’s summer, and what would you rather leave behind?

Ask yourself:

• How did our mornings go over the summer?
• Were the kids overscheduled or under-engaged?
• Did I make time for myself?
• How can our family stay connected once school and activities resume?

Starting with intention helps you build a to-do list that supports your values, not just your calendar.

Step 2: Brain Dump Every Task You Can Think Of

Now that you’ve reflected, grab a notebook, open your planner, or start a new digital note. Write down everything you need to do between now and the first day of school.

Don’t worry about order or priority—just get it out of your head. Include things like:

• Shop for school supplies
• Buy uniforms or school clothes
• Schedule haircuts
• Check shoe sizes
• Label lunchboxes, water bottles, and backpacks
• Confirm bus schedules or carpool plans
• Update your family calendar
• Plan back-to-school meals and snacks
• Set up a homework station
• Book medical or dental checkups

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating clarity. A brain dump clears mental clutter, making space for action.

Step 3: Break It Down by Category or Week

Once you’ve got your master list, it’s time to sort and simplify.

You can break it down:

• By category: Supplies, wardrobe, health, home, routines
• By week: What needs to happen 3 weeks out, 2 weeks out, final week

For example:

3 Weeks Before School

• Review the school calendar and mark important dates
• Book haircuts or doctor appointments
• Declutter kids’ closets

2 Weeks Before School

• Shop for clothes, shoes, and backpacks
• Order or pick up school supplies
• Set up a homework and study zone.

1 Week Before School

• Wash and label clothes
• Pack the backpack
• Do a few test-run mornings with wake-up times and breakfast routines.

This makes the back-to-school transition feel less like a tidal wave and more like a set of small, manageable waves.

Step 4: Set Up Your Planner for the New School Year

This is a great time to give your planner a seasonal refresh.

Here’s what to include:

• First and last day of school
• Early release and teacher workdays
• Sports and extracurricular activities
• Lunch menus or packing plans
• Daily routines (wake-up, screen time, homework time, bedtime)
• Weekly planning sessions for yourself (Sunday nights are great!)

If you use a family command center or digital calendar, now’s the time to update it so everyone knows what’s coming.

Need help setting up your planner? Check out this guide for step-by-step instructions to get you organized all year long.

Step 5: Reinforce Routines Gently

Just like you wouldn’t start lifting heavy weights after a long break, don’t expect your kids to jump back into early wake-ups and packed schedules overnight.

Start now with small adjustments:

• Move bedtimes earlier by 15 minutes every few days
• Wake them a bit earlier each morning
• Practice packing lunches or laying out clothes the night before

These small steps make the first week of school much smoother for everyone, especially you.

Step 6: Plan for You, Too

Don’t forget: your back-to-school routine isn’t just about the kids.

Once they’re out of the house, what will your mornings look like? What do you want to prioritize in this next season?

Use this transition to reset your own goals:

• Get back to the gym or an at-home exercise routine?
• Start meal prepping again?
• Reconnect with a hobby or side hustle?
• Schedule alone time during the week?

The end of summer isn’t just the start of school—it’s a chance for you to refresh your own routines and feel more balanced.

Final Thoughts: Your Peace of Mind Is Worth Planning For

Back-to-school season can feel like a whirlwind, but with a bit of planning, it becomes an opportunity to reset, reconnect, and reclaim your peace.

Instead of trying to do everything at once, focus on taking small, intentional steps. Create a plan that works for your unique family. Use your planner, your routines, and your instincts to guide you.

And remember—there’s no such thing as doing it perfectly. But planning ahead means you’ll do it with more peace, more confidence, and way less stress.

Save it for later!