11 Ways to Have a Back-to-School Reset as an Adult

As a kid, I always loved preparing for a new school year: shopping for new clothes, buying new school supplies, resetting my desk, starting a new planner. These annual rituals marked an end to summer and the start of fall, making me forever associate this time of year with fresh starts. As I transitioned from student to employed adult, however, I started to miss my back-to-school rituals and decided to recreate them for myself. Now, I like to treat the last few weeks of summer like I’m heading back to school and reset everything in my life. I transition my closet from summer to fall, do a full-home deep clean, plan out the rest of the year, and refocus on my goals.

Whether you’re a recent grad, a distant grad (like me), or an actual student, this annual reset will help you close out summer and start fall on the right foot. Here are 11 ways to channel back-to-school energy as an adult:

back to school — *Source: @michelle_janeen*

1. Deep clean your home

While some people prefer a spring deep clean, early fall is the ideal time for me. When work starts to ramp up and consume more of my time, along with travel, social plans, and self-care, coming home to a clean apartment makes me feel so much calmer and less scattered. When I’m deep cleaning, I do more than dust, vacuum, and sanitize. I take this as an opportunity to declutter and organize closets that have been stuffed with jackets, suitcases, and who knows what else. I clean out the refrigerator and freezer, getting rid of unwanted frozen foods and old condiments that have migrated to the back of the fridge. Lastly, I go through my toiletries and beauty products, which always seem to multiply, and get rid of expired products, empty bottles, and old packaging. Starting the “year” off with a clean, organized home always sets me up for success.

2. Clean out your closet

I’ll be honest: My closet is in complete disarray. I moved across the country last winter, and although I thought I got rid of a lot of old clothes, my closet is still bursting at the seams. I’ve also been struggling to put together outfits and usually pull out what feels like half of my closet before I can make a decision. When I was younger, my mom and I would clean out my closet before doing any back-to-school shopping to determine what I still fit into and liked and what items I needed to replace. Now, I do this on my own, and it makes such a difference.

I start by taking everything out of my closet, and I mean everything: every sock, pair of running shorts, wedding guest dress, etc. I also get two trash bags ready, one for worn-out items to get rid of and one for items that I may not wear anymore but could be donated. Bit by bit, I go through each item and decide 1) “Is this item still in good condition?” and 2) “Do I like this anymore?” I also make a point not to keep anything I haven’t worn in the last two years. I try on anything that meets all of these criteria, keep it if it still feels comfortable, and donate it if it no longer fits. This process takes a bit of time, but heading into fall with a refreshed closet is so worth it.

3. Go “back-to-school” clothes shopping

While cleaning out my closet, I also take note of any basics that need replacing, like jeans, plain white tees, or socks and underwear. I jot down these items in a note on my phone, then treat myself to some “back to school” shopping in late August. Just like I did as a kid, I like to go to my favorite stores in person so I can try everything on before purchasing. While I love online shopping as much as the next gal, shopping in person is the true back-to-school experience, and I prefer it when I’m searching for specific items to cross off my shopping list.

4. Buy new desk supplies

There’s something about buying school supplies that feels exciting no matter what age you are. Stocking up on fresh notebooks, fun pens, and colorful binders just never gets old. I loved picking out my school supplies in Target every year, and I still do this every fall. While I do the majority of my work on a laptop, I always take notes and make my to-do lists with a pen and paper, so this back-to-school ritual is a must, even as an adult.

5. Schedule appointments

As a kid, I always had my annual physical before heading back to school, and I still find this to be the best time of year to get those necessary appointments out of the way. Check in with your PCP or gynecologist, schedule that overdue dentist appointment, or even just get your yearly flu shot. Beyond medical stuff, it’s also prime time for back-to-school haircuts. These days, I like to book a haircut, facial, mani/pedi, and eyebrow wax so I can go into the fall feeling my best. Scheduling all these appointments at once ensures I can knock everything out before I get busier in the fall and need to focus on my work.

6. Get your finances in order

While finances and back-to-school season don’t always go hand in hand, fall is the perfect time for a financial check-up. I use this time to take a closer look at my credit card bills, savings accounts, 401(k), and typical expenses. I often find an old subscription I don’t need anymore or get a reality check that maybe I need to spend less on clothes or coffee. This helps me recalibrate after a spendy summer and take a more mindful approach to spending throughout the rest of the year.

7. Find a new hobby

In addition to heading back to class, fall always meant returning to the fun things like sports practices, art classes, and music lessons. But as adults, so many of us struggle to find hobbies we enjoy that don’t cost a ton or take up too much of our time. If you’re stuck on what to try, ask yourself: What did you love to do as a kid? Maybe you were into painting, soccer, dance, creative writing, or playing an instrument. Personally, I loved singing, so this fall, I am planning on starting up voice lessons again. Pick out something you loved doing growing up, then research rec leagues, workshops, or classes for adults that can help you get back into it.

8. Plan upcoming trips

If you plan to travel during the rest of the year or early next (heading home for the holidays, anyone?), now is the perfect time to check some of that planning off your to-do list. We all know that booking airline tickets and hotel reservations in advance usually gets you the best deal, so take advantage of the time and commit to the plans now. Your wallet and your anxiety will thank you later.

9. Get back into a workout routine

The start of the school year always coincided with the return of fall sports practices. While I’m not planning on picking up my lacrosse stick or trying out for a new team, I like to take this time of year to recommit to my physical health like I would if I were still playing a sport. I personally used to have sports practices a few times a week before or after school—why not use that same type of schedule to plan out your workouts? Whether you’re trying a new form of fitness, like running or Pilates, or recommitting to the one you may have been neglecting, now is a great time to get back into a routine.

10. Schedule the fun things

When work and life get busy, I struggle to remember to make time for the fun things, and date nights, friend catch-ups, and happy hours fall by the wayside. To get ahead of things, I like to make a few dinner reservations to plan out dates later in the fall and text friends a few weeks in advance to make sure we can find a date that works for everyone. Putting in a little time now will help you keep your social life going without the stress.

11. Set goals for the rest of the year

While you may have set some goals at the beginning of the year, those New Year’s resolutions probably feel very far away at this point. I like to use this time of year to pause, take stock of everything moving in my busy life, and set goals for the rest of the year (and beyond). They don’t have to be anything life-changing—unless you want them to be. My goals for the rest of 2024? Read three books a month, take myself on a solo date, start jogging a little more every day, keep my closet clean (which it should be after I reorganize it!), and start journaling.