Back to School Guide Part 1: Essentials, Style & First Day Prep

Back to school season is here! Whether you're the type who's super excited to see friends again or someone who wishes summer break could last forever, a new school year is always a chance for a fresh start. In this first part of my Back to School Guide, I'll share everything you need to feel ready and confident: school supplies, outfit and beauty inspo, first-day prep tips, and what to pack in your backpack. Let's get into it!

1. School Essentials & Supplies

Starting fresh feels so much better when you've got cute supplies. Bonus points if they're aesthetic. For me everything has to be aesthetic, and I'm a bit more motivated to use them. Here are some must-haves:

• Notebooks & binders - to keep your things organized.

• Pens & highlighters - I love having different colors for note-taking.

• Planner or bullet journal - helps keep homework, tests, and activities organized.

• Tech basics - phone charger, earbuds, maybe even a tablet or laptop if your school allows it.

  
  

Trust me, organized supplies = organized brain (at least most of the time).

2. Backpack Basics + Emergency Kit

Your backpack is your daily bestie, so pack it smart:

• Backpack basics: notebooks, pens, water bottle, snack, planner.

A little reminder: It's important to eat something in school. When I was in seventh grade, I wasn't eating anything at school, because it was "not cool". But that's not true. When you don't eat anything in the morning, you'll probably have low energy and feel hangry (hungry + angry).

Also, use a backpack that's practical and fits everything you need. Of course, it's a bonus when it looks cute, but it's better to choose a practical backpack than a trendy one where only half of your stuff fits in.

• Emergency pouch: lip balm, mini deodorant, hair ties, tissues, bandaids, hand sanitizer, period products.

  
  

This little kit can seriously save your day when something unexpected happens.

3. Outfit Inspo

The first-day outfit can set the tone for the year, so pick something that makes you feel comfortable and confident. A few ideas:

• Casual chic: jeans + a cute top + sneakers.

• Girly vibes: a skirt or dress with a cardigan.

• Sporty look: leggings, hoodie, and fresh sneakers.

• Basic but pretty: jeans + a hoodie + jewelry or a cute hairstyle to pimp it up.

  
  

Layering is key - a jacket, hoodie, or cute accessories like hair clips and jewelry can make a simple outfit pop.

4. Makeup & Hair Inspo

Not everyone wears makeup to school, but if you do, keep it quick and fresh. If you do full-face, it could look bad a few hours later (we all know school air). So here are some tips:

• Natural makeup: tinted moisturizer, mascara, lipgloss.

• 5-minute routine: concealer, blush, mascara, brow gel, and you're done! (Also, if you have some time left, something for the lips.)

For hair, mornings are busy, so here are my go-tos:

• Claw clip styles (super cute and trendy right now).

• Braids - regular or messy.

• High ponytail or bun - for a clean, put-together look.

5. The Night Before the First Day

The night before school can be exciting and stressful. Here's how to make it smoother:

Pack your bag and put your outfit together so you won't need to stress about it the next morning.

Also, do a little self-care. Maybe put on a face mask, read a book, or journal. The first day of the new school year maybe seems a little scary, because you don't know what's coming, or maybe you're getting in a new class or even going to a new school. But stressing about it and overthinking it only makes it worse. So do something relaxing and clear your mind.

And another important thing is: Get enough sleep. Even if you're too nervous or excited. You don't want to be tired the whole day, walking around with low energy. Because that's making a bad impression and it's not cute. So make sure you have at least 8 hours of sleep.

And that's Part 1 of my Back to School Guide! With these essentials and a little prep, you'll step into the first day feeling ready to shine. I hope you have a great start to the new school year. In Part 2, I'll share tips for friendships, motivation, study hacks and how to actually make school fun - so stay tuned!

XOXO,

Seraphine