Whether you're entering college for the first time or the last time or somewhere in between, or even attending high school, here are 5 hacks we can all use!

1. Wait until the first day of classes to assign your notebooks

If you're like me and for some reason have an obsession with anything organizational, you know the excitement of having fresh, crisp school supplies. However, as exciting as it is, I have consistently found that if I try to assign specific folders or notebooks or even binders to a class, I find myself having drastically different supplies-needs than I thought. This has caused a lot of last minute arranging and re-labeling that started off my year in complete disarray. I have found that the better option, since the first day of classes is always a syllabi or "getting to know you" type of day, is to wait to read the syllabus and get a good idea of what you'll need.

2. Don't buy bath or grocery supplies before you move in

If you go to college and live on campus or go to boarding school and have dorm-like housing, you know that packing the car with all of your necessary (and not-so necessary) belongings can be a bit of a hassle. I have found that it is much easier and much less time consuming to only pack and buy the things you can't buy in the town where your campus is. Buying things like laundry detergent, shampoo, and toothbrushes after you've dropped off your things in your dorm is much easier, and it's a great way to spend last-minute time with your parents!

3. Granola bars are your best friend

As I'm sure most of you know, or have at least assumed; school is a stressful time. I have often found that I am so laden with work between my two majors that finding time to go and get food within the dining hall's operating times is extremely difficult. The last thing you want is a rumbling stomach when you're trying to complete a last minute essay! I find that keeping a granola bar in my school bag, particularly one with protein (as they're more filling) is a great way to solve the "it's midnight and I forgot to eat dinner" crisis. It's not a full, hot meal, but it's better than a cram session on an empty stomach!

4. Organize who's bringing what

Have you ever been in a situation where you show up at your dorm or your apartment, and your new roomies have all brought mini-fridges, microwaves and/or TV's? Well, it tends to be a confusing and generally awkward time while you're trying to figure out who is going to keep what (because there's not a lot of space) while the parents stand around. The best thing you can do is message your future roomies over the summer, and figure this all out beforehand! It also gets the ball rolling with conversation, especially if you haven't met your roommates yet!

5. Have fun

Everyone says that your high school and college years are supposed to be the best years of your life. I strongly believe that any years can be the best years of your life if you work to live the life you love! However, these periods are times when you will meet some of the best people you've ever met, and have an incredible time learning and growing together. School, though sometimes stressful, can open your mind to things you've never thought and yourself to opportunities you've never had- and when it's over, there's nothing else like it! So enjoy every minute of campus life while you can, and make those years some of the best in your life!