12 Ways to Recreate That Back-to-School Feeling as an Adult

Inside: There’s something about back-to-school season that makes us want to reset. This post shares 12 simple ways to harness that back to school feeling for adults—from freshening up routines and organizing your space to setting goals and creating more ease in everyday life.

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission, at no extra charge to you. I only recommend products that I love or would purchase for myself. See my full disclosure here.

Even though I graduated decades ago, that familiar old combination of nerves and excitement always surfaces during this back-to-school time of year. I’m energized to clean off my desk, buy fresh new office supplies, and reinvent my life a little. (This could be the season I start going to bed on time and read more!)

There’s a definite unexplainable energy that happens. Maybe it’s nostalgia. Maybe it’s the end of the carefree days of summer and time to buckle back down. Or maybe it’s that the the same annual routine was ingrained in me from age 5 to 25.

Back-to-school time really is the other January. And it can actually be a better time to reset than the new year. Because rather than be exhausted from the holidays, we’re more energized to sleigh those goals with a fresh clean slate after the more laid back summer season.

When we were kids, this back-to-school reset came whether we wanted it to or not. These days, we aren’t forced to go back to a classroom, but we can still use that new-school-year-energy as an adult to motivate us!

Here’s a list of 12 ways to harness that back to school feeling for adults as a fall reset routine—to feel organized, more on top of things, and to get the most out of our everyday lives.

1. Set a Few Simple Fall Goals.

Back-to-school always came with big plans. This was the year to stay organized, join a club, maybe even make straight A’s. Tap into that same energy by setting a few small goals. Think:

• Take a walk every morning or evening
• Try some new recipes (or make dinner at home more)
• Organize one space each week
• Cut back on screen time
• Tackle one home project each month
• Read a book

2. Clean Off Your Desk and Clear Out Your Office.

Think of this as your adult version of prepping your locker and school supplies. A cluttered workspace has a way of draining motivation before the day even begins. Take time to completely clear your desk surface, file or toss old papers, and wipe everything down. Then move to drawers or shelves—get rid of pens that don’t work, donate extra notepads you’ll never use, and corral cords or chargers. Creating a workspace that feels clean and functional can do wonders for your daily focus and productivity.

(I got this done a couple of weeks ago, and I still get a thrill of feeling organized when I sit down to work every day!)

3. Treat Yourself to a Few New Office Supplies.

Get your school supply “fix” with new pens, colorful sticky notes, a pretty notebook that make you happy, or even a fresh desktop organizer to breathe new life into your daily routine. Just like picking the right color Trapper Keeper or Lisa Frank folders back in the day, these items can bring a little joy to the everyday to-do list!

4. Clean Out Your Closet and Take Stock of Your Wardrobe.

The grown-up version of back-to-school clothes shopping starts with a closet edit. Pull out anything that doesn’t fit or flatter, then make a note of what you wore on repeat this last year, and what never saw the light of day. Is anything looking worn or stretched out? Are there wardrobe holes to fill before cooler weather arrives? Once you pare down, you’ll actually see what you do have, and shopping for any fall wardrobe pieces will feel more intentional, not impulsive.

Find more closet cleaning motivation in the posts, “How to Declutter Your Home for a Fresh Start in the New Year” and “Dreamy Walk-In Closet Organization and Decorating Ideas“.

5. Refresh Your Personal Grooming Routine.

New (school) year, new you. Summer often means relaxed routines, but back-to-school season is the perfect excuse to freshen things up. Get a new hairstyle or tweak the color, or revamp your skincare or makeup routine. Even something small like a new lipstick or nail color can give you a little lift.

6. Schedule Overdue Appointments.

Back-to-school season often meant physicals and vaccinations —so why not carry that practical energy into adulthood? Use this time to see if you’re overdue for any annual appointments and schedule any checkups or screenings you’ve been putting off. Getting these on the calendar clears mental clutter, makes you feel good about taking care of yourself, and gives you one less thing to worry about later.

7. Recommit to a Workout Routine (or Start a New One).

If you do nothing else on this list, this one will make the most difference in making your life better all around! Back in school, movement was built into our days with P.E., sports, recess, and walking to and from class. As adults, we have to create that structure ourselves. If your summer routine has been a little “loose“, this is a great opportunity to find something that works now. Whether it’s walking before dinner, trying a yoga class, or adding a short stretch session in the morning, choose something realistic and enjoyable. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s to get moving.

8. Plan Ahead for Travel or Personal Time.

While we’re on an organizing roll, get any trips you plan to take in the next six months on the calendar. That might mean booking flights, reserving hotels, or simply blocking off weekends before they fill up with other obligations. Whether it’s a fall getaway, a visit to family, or even holiday travel, planning ahead now helps everything feel more manageable later, and gives you something fun to look forward to.

9. Take Stock of Your Finances and Make a Plan.

Just like a new school year came with school supply costs and budgeting for clothes, it’s smart to take a pulse on your financial picture as fall approaches. As a throwback to math class, review your spending from the last few months, track where your money’s been going, and adjust any budgeting categories that have gotten off course. Whether you’re saving for holidays, a home project, or just want to cut back on takeout, this is a great time to reset and realign with your goals.

10. Do a Home Deep Clean.

Summer tends to bring in a general “I’ll deal with that later” attitude. But “fall cleaning” should be as much of a thing as “spring cleaning“! A good deep clean not only makes your home feel fresh again, it creates a calm environment for getting all of the things done you plan to accomplish, plus you’ll have a cleaner home going into the holiday crazy time. Focus on areas that affect your daily routine the most—like your kitchen counters, bathroom drawers, the entryway, and the bedroom.

11. Start (or Restart) a Hobby or Skill.

The beauty of adult life is getting to choose your own “electives“! Whether it’s learning something new or picking back up an old hobby you used to love, now’s the time to make time for it. Join a class, start a challenging puzzle, paint something, take up pickleball… whatever brings enjoyment. It doesn’t need to be productive—just fulfilling.

12. Schedule Time with Friends.

Back in school, we had time with friends automatically built into our days. As adults, we sometimes forget to prioritize those connections. Instead of saying, “We should get together sometime,” send the actual text with a specific plan! Make it a lunch date, coffee meet-up, or movie night. Scheduling fun time with people you care about adds something to look forward to, and keeps life from feeling like it’s all to-do lists.

Final Thoughts on Embracing the Back to School Feeling for Adults.

There’s just something about this time of year—it makes us want to pull ourselves together, get back into routines, and feel a little more in control of life again. And the beauty of this back-to-school energy is that unlike when we were actually in school, we can use it however we want!

Whether it’s refreshing your home, revamping your habits, or finally scheduling that thing you’ve been putting off, you don’t need a classroom to make the most of this clean-slate season.

So buy the pens. Clean out the closet. Make a few changes that help life feel a little more put together. Because grown-ups deserve that fresh start feeling too.

Before you go:

As always, I appreciate your visit, comments, and shares here on the blog! I’d love it if you also follow along with me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube so you won’t miss any of my inspiration and ideas.

Don’t forget to sign up for updates to keep in touch.

If you’re not already a member of the SH&H family, I’d love to have you join me! You’ll not only get email updates, but you’ll have exclusive access to all the bonus materials in my free subscriber-only library, like this:

Pin it to remember it!

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please pin and share this on Pinterest: