As fall approaches, you might have kids of different ages returning to school – and you or your spouse could be working toward a degree, too. How can you keep everyone organized for optimal learning? We have tips for every student in your family.

Kids

Your youngest scholars may need the most hand-holding. After all, they’re just beginning to discover everything.

Make life easier for them with a well-organized and self-contained system. Kids love to be able to have independence, so put their books where they’re easily accessible. A shelving system or bin works like a charm.

Devote different shelves and cubbies to different kids or different activities, like reading and arts and crafts.

For kids who can read, label the shelves or bins as reminders of where everything belongs. If you know a mess will still happen or if your storage is in a public area of your home, an organization system with doors might work best.

Do your little ones love to draw and paint? Create a way to display their school artwork. They’ll feel loved and you won’t have a pile of papers to deal with. A bulletin board, a magnetic strip or just a piece of string hung on the wall can serve as an art gallery.

Whatever you do to get your kids ready for a successful school year, keep it simple for your sake and theirs. They’ll learn how to stay organized for the rest of their lives.

Teens and College Students

Between their social calendar, extracurricular activities, work and studies, teens and college students are understandably distracted. Help them manage their busy lives with a good organization system.

A Mixed Material Display Shelf is a multifunctional storage piece that can follow your child from home to dorm to first apartment.

Besides places to put books and school papers, think about your student’s electronic equipment. Depending on what your child is studying, you might need to consider where to safely store cameras, science paraphernalia or a 3-D printer.

Does your student have trophies to show off? Mount some shelving or save space in a cube organizer to exhibit them proudly. Frame award certificates and hang them on the wall or sit them on top of a cube organizer.

Unless you have younger kids at home, think about purchasing storage items that can move up and out with your child.

Adults

Perhaps you are going back to school to get an advanced degree or change careers. Congratulations!

Keeping yourself organized as you juggle all your responsibilities is crucial for your academic success and your mental health.

Create a neat and peaceful environment for studying.

If possible, set yourself up in a quiet room that has a door so you can avoid distractions. You’ll also want to plan and prioritize your daily and weekly tasks. Writing out where you (and maybe your family members) can see them might be helpful. Post a whiteboard or a calendar in your study area and near the kitchen or wherever else your family is likely to see it.

In your study spot, get creative with storage. In a spare bedroom? Use part of the closet for your books and binders. No closet? Try a piece of furniture like an old dresser or build something new, like one of our Modular Closet kits. You’ll stay organized and keep your space tidy, which is especially important if you’re sharing it with a guest room or another living area.

No matter where you are in your learning journey, being organized sets you on a path to accomplish your goals.