Back to School Routine: Tips for a Smooth Transition from Summer to Online School

Carefree summer days offer us a change in perspective and a chance to recharge. But as we start noticing the days getting a little shorter and the nights a touch cooler, it’s time to ease into the more structured back-to-school routine. The good news? There’s no one right way of getting ready for school to start, and for families who choose online school, there are more ways to make transitioning to a school schedule even easier. Here are some helpful school routine tips you can start working on right away to smooth the transition for your family and build excitement for the first day of school.

Roll Back the Clock

If sleep and wake times have significantly shifted or become inconsistent, it’s time to reset the alarm. Help your child try an incremental approach, going to bed and getting up just 15 minutes earlier each day until waking up on time is second nature. For online students, their more flexible school schedule means they can usually snooze a little later, so their back-to-school routine works best for their needs. For families who need more flexibility, check to see if your school has a Flex program and if it’s right for you.

Set Up Your Learning Space

Transitioning to a school schedule often means trading fun in the sun for more time indoors. Make it more enjoyable by letting kids make their space their own. Setting up a designated learning spot surrounded by the things they need and designed with what they like makes getting ready for school and sitting down to learning that much easier. Seeking ideas for setting up an at-home school space? Take a look at these students’ learning spaces.

Create a Countdown Calendar

Make the first day of school a celebration with a special calendar that counts down to the big day! A multicolored paper chain, repurposed Advent calendar, or a wall calendar your child can color or paint all work. Make getting ready for school something to look forward to, adding all those great learning opportunities back into their days. For students who learn from home, the shift from summer to school may not look very different, but adding a few special touches can make the back-to-school routine feel special.

Test Run Your Tech

Do a test run of all their tech with your student. Set up the computer, make sure they have valid login credentials for everything they need, and have them check their school email. Getting set up in advance may end up saving you a scramble when it’s time to log in for the first day of school.

Review Your Routine

Help your student visualize what a full day in their new school year routine will look like by helping them plan out their day. Aligning your schedule with theirs and understanding how everything will fit together with other family activities will help create a sense of calm and set clear expectations. For a fun activity, let your student organize their days using the downloadable planners in our learning activities hub. And for ideas and inspiration, see how other families approach online learning by checking out the stories on our Day in the Life page!

Relax and Enjoy the Moment

The last item on the list of parent tips for school routine success? Don’t forget to have fun! Even as you work through these steps to prepare for the upcoming school year, keep some of the summer fun going and live in the moment. Easing into the school year and finding what fits for your family will help set up a great year of learning ahead.

Want to see if K12-powered school is right for your child?

K12-powered schools offer a balanced approach to fitting public school at home into your family’s routine. If you or someone you know is curious about online school options, we’re here to help!

Ready to start your online learning journey? Explore K12’s flexible school options or connect with our enrollment specialists for personalized guidance.