The December holidays are officially over and it’s time for all of us to go back to school and work. It’s always so sad to realise that long afternoon naps, watching endless hours of TV and lazing around is now over. On the bright side though, rest allows us to regroup, refocus and get ready for the year ahead. Along with new year’s resolutions and goals, it is good to put together your back to school or back to work checklist for 2020. 

Get your child care arranged in advance

If you require child care after school or even someone to assist you with picking up your kids or dropping them off, make sure you arrange this well in advance to ensure your children can get to school. 

Compile your shopping list 

Jot down all your school or work essentials such as stationery, school bags, school uniforms, work clothes or anything else you may need before school or work starts. This is a good time to do some spring cleaning to clear out any clothes or school uniforms that no longer fit and make space for  new clothing items. Also make sure you have enough lunch boxes, bags and bottles; if not, add this to your shopping list as well.

Add important dates to your diary

While you are still in the get-organised mode, be sure to pencil in any important dates such as registration day, orientation or any extracurricular activities your kids might have. The same applies for work. Add any meetings, workshops or training sessions you know you will have throughout the year, and keep adding them in as you go. It’s always good to have an overview of what you need to do beforehand! 

Cut down on electronic devices

Electronics are the way to keep your kids busy, especially where there are moments of boredom throughout the holiday. However, as that back to school day approaches, it is a good idea to limit the amount and time your kids use electronics devices, to prepare them for normality and school days. 

Go shopping 

Once you have complied your shopping list and set your budget, it’s time to shop! You can get all your stationery supplies right here on bidorbuy and get them all delivered to your doorstep, there is no need to leave the house. 

Create a meal plan

If you have kids, meal plans are a great way to give you peace of mind and make your mornings easy and fuss-free. If you don’t have kids, meal plans are just as important, as they allow you to be more effective with your time and your budget. Take some time on a Sunday to sit and jot down meal ideas for the week, so that you know exactly what to buy at the grocery store. This way, you will avoid wasting time on discussing and arguing over dinner ideas every weekday. You will also avoid purchasing food items you don’t really need 

To help you with your planning, we have included the school terms for 2020 below.

Term 1: 15 January – 20 March 

Term 2: 31 March – 12 June

Term 3: 7 July – 18 September 

Term 4: 29 September – 2 December

So there you have it, your back to school and work checklist for 2020. This is going to be a great year!