Back-to-School Organization: Study Station 101

So, here it is -- that time of year when summer winds down and school orientations begin. This is a big year for us, because my oldest son is starting middle school [still hard to believe]. All his supplies are ready for his classes, and his book bag is all filled up and ready to go. We've talked about his transition from elementary school to middle with optimism and within a few days, school begins.

This year, we decided to organize his work space at home a little better. Let's face it, if you are a parent - you are also a teacher. Last year, my son had homework each night, and it was often for more than one subject. Because he plays drums and also plays baseball, we always have to manage his homework/study time carefully. It is afterall, the most important part of his routine.

I've found that it is best for him to do his work before his extra-curricular activities. If we wait until late, he's exhausted and completely unmotivated.

But no matter what time he does his work, he always becomes distracted.

"Mom, my pencil is dull."

"Mom, what does this word mean?"

"Mom, where is the tape?"

Middle school is such an important step in a child's education. I remember it well. It was a point in my life where socializing became more important than education, where friends were pushing the limits of what they could and couldn't do, where I had to start making decisions that would affect me for the rest of my life.

So as a mom, it is my mission to make this transition as easy as possible for my son. Now more than ever, I plan to be involved at his school. If he decides to share less with me, at least I can stay in the loop that way.

And when he gets home, he'll have no excuses. Everything he needs is right there at his disposal.

His work station includes a printer, pens, pencils, a pencil sharpener, a calculator, glue sticks, tape, a chalkboard and dry erase board, a laptop, crayons, markers, a book light, a dictionary, post-it notes, an atlas and the Nook [because reading is fundamental]. I'm going to add a paper tray this week.

I also included some motivational items to remind him of how awesome and SMART he is -- like his school awards. As this year progresses, I'll be adding more of those items.

If you look closely at the pictures, you can see where I updated the outlet covers using scrap book paper. I got that idea from The Real Housewives of Riverton.

And since this post is about organization, which was a topic for Kate Krull's Fun Friday this week, I'll also show how we organized the medicine cabinet above his work station. We have one box for my medicine, one for my husbands, one for pain and itch remedies, and another for the children. It's so nice to open up the medicine cabinet, and not have to fumble through layers and rows of bottles that roll out or fall over. I got the storage boxes from the dollar store [4 buckaroos well spent, I'd say]

I will certainly continue to update this space. I love it so much that I'm actually blogging from it right now. In addition to it being a fun, quiet, distraction-free work space for my son, it will also be a great work space for me whenever I work from home.

It's actually making me want to make "stations" in every room!

Happy organizing, and I hope that everyone has a great school year!