Hello, 2025-2026!
Summer’s almost over (almost!), which means it’s time to swap adventures and sleeping in for loud alarms, heavy school backpacks, and lots of homework.
Whether you’re a student starting at a new school or an ACSer heading back to the classroom, a parent preparing your teenager for the new 2025-2026 school year, or even an alumnus/alumna getting ready for a semester away from home, the beginning of the new school year can be tough. We know!
But hey, before you start freaking out, we’d like to remind you that a new school year is basically a fresh start. For you, your parents, faculty and staff. Think about the new school year as your chance to set goals, meet new and cool people, and learn a lot of things (not for an A+ but for your genuine role in reshaping the world).
To help you do that, we at ACS have prepared a comprehensive guide with school supplies and tips for success, to help both students and their parents.
Let’s see which boxes you still have to tick!
- School Supplies
- Comfortable Clothing
- Well-organized Study Space
- School Routine
- Realistic Goals
Buy Cute but Useful School Supplies
Although every school (and grade level) has unique requirements, some supplies are universal. From pens and pencils to sharpeners and folders to notebooks and sticky notes, don’t forget the basic supplies you need to start a new academic year.
However, before you rush into shopping, take some time to organize and review last year’s materials. You can reuse supplies to save money and reduce waste, after all. Trust us, you don’t need 10 erasers with sloths and llamas!
Your teachers will inform you if any specific supplies are needed for their classes. The best part? At ACS we provide lots of equipment you can take home and use on campus, such as personal laptops (how cool is that!), lab equipment, 3D printers, and filming equipment to facilitate classes and extracurricular activities.
Consider Comfortable Clothing
Beyond notebooks and calculators, clothing and gear play a big role in starting the year with confidence. Buy quality where it matters, such as durable school bags, but don’t forget to watch for discounts as well. Wouldn’t it be better to use your pocket money for a school trip instead of branded merchandise?
Make sure your clothing complies with the school requirements, but do not hesitate to pick at least one fun item (a funny T-shirt won’t cause suspension, we promise). If you like your stuff, you’ll want to use it, right?
Don’t forget about some extra supplies like lunch boxes, water bottles, wipes, hand sanitizers, and anything else you need at school. With our beautiful lockers on campus, you can have everything you need near you!
Organize Your Study Space
Before you even think about shopping, clean up your study area at home. Trust us, starting the year with a messy desk or random papers from last year will just slow you down.
You heard us well: declutter your space. A clean, organized environment makes it easier to stay productive once school begins. Think about it as restarting your mobile phone: fresh start, better performance. Right?!
Oh, and always take care of your health. Ensure that your seating is comfortable and that you have access to natural light. For those outside of the city, don’t worry: our dorm and campus offer anything you need to make studying effective and fun.
Create a Routine
School success isn’t just about having the right pencils: it’s about mental readiness. Transitioning from summer to school mode can be tough, but you can overcome any challenges. We believe in you, ACSers!
Getting back into a school groove is way easier if you set your routine early:
- Adjust your schedule: It might sound boring, but start going to bed earlier -- at least two weeks before school begins – so your body adapts.
- Set daily routines: Establish daily routines that include time for sports, homework, and family and friends.
- Practice time management: Use a planner or digital calendar to plan homework, study time, and activities. This will help you after graduation as well.
- Communicate with us: Our ACS student handbook provides all the information you need to get ready, but don’t hesitate to ask for advice over the phone or face-to-face at your Dean’s office staff.
- Stay positive: Focus on the opportunities a new academic year brings. After all, a growth mindset goes a long way.
If you’re a parent, your role in preparing your child goes beyond shopping. You can talk about routines and expectations and also encourage independence. Most of all, stay connected: meet our ACS teachers at the traditional Parent-Teacher Day event early October and get involved in school events whenever possible. Trust us, there’ll be plenty of events we organize throughout the year!
Set Realistic Goals
The new school year can be stressful, especially with the pressure of academics and social life. We’ve been there, too! That said, don’t forget your mental health comes first. Set realistic goals. Acknowledge small wins, like finishing an assignment on time.
The first week can feel particularly overwhelming, but see all the positives: all the new people you can meet and all the new activities you can try (a sport, club, or class you wouldn’t normally take).
When setting goals, stay flexible as unexpected events, such as a winter storm that may close the campus (wink!), happen. For such cases, we have our virtual classes all set!
Wrap It Up
Preparing for the new school year is about more than shopping for supplies; it’s about setting yourself up for success. By organizing early, creating a supportive space, and communicating with us at ACS, you’ll enter the year feeling confident and ready. Once the school starts, you’ll have the Dean’s Office, the Student Support Team, and the advisors to help you further.
Think of the new 2025-2026 year as building the foundation for all the achievements, friendships, and memories you’ll create in the months and years ahead. Just ask our alumni: these things last for a lifetime!
So grab your supplies (physical and emotional) and get ready to crush it this year. You’ve got this, our dear ACSer!