Guide to Back to School Supplies

Going back to school is a fresh start for everyone involved; students, teachers and, most mercifully, parents. The first day of school has largely replaced New Year's Day as the start of a new "year" and with any new beginning, there is new things to be had. Back to school supplies are a time honored tradition (at least they certainly were at my house). But buying back to school supplies is much more similar to holiday shopping than buying some kid-friendly office supplies, with the hectic pace, overwhelming stores and sales, and deadlines. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the season of back to school supplies.

And it is a "season". You might notice that in your Sunday newspapers there is a certain lack of coupons and advertisements for back to school supplies. The reason for this is simple. Retailers have grown aware that customers know about the back to school season, just as they are aware when the holiday season begins. Coupons and advertisements are usually used as informative lures to bring customers in; the customers are coming for the back to school supplies anyway, why bother spending all of that money on advertising it?

The term back to school supplies, though it is universally understood, can vary greatly. The needed school supplies for first grade students is vastly different than those in high school. Generally, younger students need a larger amount of supplies; younger students work on a variety of artistically-minded projects and need the corresponding supplies: scissors, glue, crayons, markers, etc. These supplies tend to be cheaper, but added up, can be quite a bit. Older students, on the other hand, need few things: notebooks, folders, maybe some pens or pencils. Then again, older students frequently need expensive calculators for high school level math classes. Also, most students need regular, if not daily, access to a computer. Those fewer back to school supplies cost much more per item. Sadly, children growing up doesn't bring down the cost of back to school supplies.

The purchasing of back to school supplies is an annual event, that, in my mind, symbolizes the new year. It is a fresh start on a new endeavor for children, and, so it seems, parents alike. I know that I fall prey to this renewing energy. The air is full of infectious energy as the leaves change and the season turns. The lazy days of summer are gone, and I get a renewed focus. Nothing pleases me more than to see the full displays of back to school supplies; this means a fresh start.