Brightly decorated dorm room with a green checkered bedspread and framed art on the walls

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

The 7-Day Spruce Up: Get Back-to-School Ready

Welcome to the 7-Day Spruce Up: Get Back-to-School Ready!

From savoring the last days of summer, to shopping for all of those back-to-school essentials, consider this your ultimate cleaning and organizing guide to getting ready for the new school year. Whether you're a parent, guardian, or student, these tips will make you more back-to-school ready than ever before—all in just seven days.

Day 1: Savor the Last of Summer

Drinks by the pool

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

The last days of summer are here, but there's still plenty of time left to make the most of it. Whether you're throwing one last summer party, or looking for ways to keep your outdoor space organized in these final weeks, we've got you covered so you can be sure you're savoring summer.

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Day 2: Get Organized and Orderly

Vacuuming a rug in a dorm room

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Kicking off the school year on the right foot means starting with some upfront organizing tips and tricks. Before the first day of school even arrives, get what you need to organize everything from the entryway (no more rogue shoes going missing) to the pantry (snacks should always be easy to find).

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Day 3: Craft a Study Space

Crafting a study space

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

You wouldn't be back-to-school ready without the perfect study space. Whether you're a parent setting up your child's new study area, or a college student looking for ways to make a space more productive, these pro tips and top-rated product picks will get you started.

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Day 4: Enroll in Laundry 101

Folding and sorting laundry

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Once summer is over and those routines start falling back into place, the last thing you want to do is have to worry about or spend more time doing laundry than you need to. But with the right laundry products and a few hacks from the pros, both parents and students will be ready to tackle laundry once again.

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Day 5: Shop Smarter for School Supplies

School supplies in a desk

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Back-to-school shopping shouldn't be a hassle—and it shouldn't cost a fortune, either. Whatever your budget or supply needs, from wall calendars to backpacks and smart notebooks, these school supplies and tips won't break the bank.

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Day 6: Ace Your Routine

Organized desk in a dorm with plants

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Summer has a way of throwing off our routines, and whether back-to-school season is a reality for you or not, it's still helpful to get back into a rhythm, all with some help from weekly cleaning schedules and reliable alarm clocks.

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Day 7: Stay on Schedule for a Successful School Year

Organized entryway with hooks

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Schedules and routines are great, but they won't do you any good if you don't stick to them. So make sure the whole school year goes off without a hitch with these clutter-clearing tricks, entryway shoe storage ideas, and a few handy organizing tips from a very special expert.