It feels like once the 4th of July fireworks are quelled, stores and advertisements start gearing up for back-to-school way faster than any of us are ready for. However, as of the writing of these words (August 1st), bookbags, lunchboxes, water bottles, new clothes, and underpants have all been purchased for the first days of school. Still waiting on the supply list from school, and haircuts have been scheduled. So, I’m in full-on planning mode, but not just with material things and bus schedules, but also planning for the big changes and transitions to come.

My youngest is headed to kindergarten and leaving a daycare she’s known since she was a baby. My older daughter, going into 2nd grade, is growing up so fast and will be starting a special coding program in addition to the standard curriculum, so there will be new challenges for sure.

Here are a few ways to prepare for this school year beyond the first day, supplies, and extra-curricular activities.

First off, the back-to-school mindset is a good time to take stock, make new goals, and shed bad habits. Think of it like the runner-up to New Year’s goal setting or a redo of what you had hoped to accomplish on January 1st. Whether you are a parent, a returning student, a new student, work in an academic setting, or none of the above, just about anyone can utilize a back-to-school mentality to restart or start anew on a dream or goal.

Acknowledge the upcoming transition, whether it’s your decision to make a change or a grade/school change that is inevitable. For parents, ask your child how they are feeling about going back to school. Ask what they are excited for, worried about, and hope to achieve in the first few months of the school year. It’s not only important to ask, but even more important to listen. Come up with practical plans. No one can predict what the school year will hold, but things like setting aside time for homework, rest, family time, and having a visible schedule will be a landing pad of sorts when things start to get hectic and demands start piling up.

For non-students, not only should you also acknowledge a new start but also accept that there will probably be bumps on the path. Make sure you prioritize health, sleep, hygiene, nutritious meals, and time for the things that give you joy, like hobbies, friends, alone time, regular physical exercise, and the appreciation of the physical world around you. These small commitments will form a solid foundation of wellness that will set you up to confront any challenges that may arise.

When planning a schedule and tasks to meet deadlines, challenges, and steps toward your goal, also allow time for self-reflection. Checking in on your plan and yourself will help you identify how you’re truly doing and what actually matters to you.

This is great for parents as well. By simply asking kids, what was the favorite part of your day? What are you most proud of this week? What are you least proud of? How did certain events make you feel? You can then empower them to come up with solutions in areas in which they may be struggling.

Self-reflection allows for more realistic and flexible planning. Say the goal is to make the basketball team, or switch majors, or learn a new skill. With self-reflection, you can identify the feelings and aspects of that goal and why they are important to you. Is it because you just want to play more basketball or spend more time with your friends? Are you struggling in core classes for your major, or are you just bored? Is a new skill something to apply to your job, or just a personal challenge? Identifying the motivates helps you track your progress and readjust expectations and to-dos in your overall plan.

Next, ask for help when needed and keep communication lines open with teachers and advisors. Ask your child’s teacher what you can be doing at home to support efforts in the classroom. Ask your supervisor what they are looking for in a candidate eligible for promotion. Ask a leader you admire to be a mentor. Don’t be discouraged if you need to readjust expectations or tasks. You may have thought Duolingo would be enough to learn a new language, but you may need an in-person tutor or an online group to practice with. You may want to take on a part-time job in addition to being on student council, but you find the quality of your schoolwork lacking. The solution may not be obvious or easy, but asking for help will hopefully give you a new perspective on approaching the obstacle.

Lastly, remember to focus on balance, not on trying to juggle everything in order to feel successful. You’ll also have to accept you’ll miss out on some experience. If you set aside time to study, you may miss out on a night out with friends. If you plan time to meditate and reflect, you may not be able to get to yard work that day. It’s OK to miss some things and leave a few things undone as long you’re able to maintain a balance of fun, rest, and work.

Whether you’re going back to school, never left, or just celebrated your 50th class reunion this summer, by tapping into the back-to-school mindset to plan out the rest of your year and into the next, you’ll be ready to take on challenges, set-ups, and achievements.