The end of a school year brings relief and excitement, but it also leaves behind a stack of paperwork. From old assignments and graded tests to artwork and permission slips, it’s easy to let all that paper pile up. But what do you actually need to keep, and what can you toss? Let’s break it down, so you can start the new school year clutter-free.
1. Sort It Out: Keep Only What’s Important
The first step is to sort through the papers. Not everything from last year needs to be saved. In fact, you can probably let go of most of it! Focus on keeping items that are meaningful or necessary for reference.
Here’s a quick guide:
- Keep: Report cards, standardised test scores, awards, certificates, and standout projects or artwork.
- Toss: Old homework, daily assignments, permission slips, and anything that’s no longer relevant.
A good rule of thumb: if it’s something you’ll need for future reference (like academic progress reports or important testing results), keep it. Otherwise, it’s okay to let it go.
2. Create a “Memory Box” for Special Pieces
If you’re a sentimental parent, it can be tough to part with artwork, creative writing pieces, or other projects that show your child’s growth. Instead of keeping everything, try creating a “memory box” for each school year. Pick just a few pieces that really capture the year—a favourite art project, a particularly good essay, or a fun class photo.
This way, you can keep the memories without holding onto every single piece of paper that comes home.
3. Digitise What You Can
If you’re not ready to part with certain papers but don’t want to keep stacks of physical documents, consider going digital! Take photos or scan important items to save on your computer or in a cloud storage system. You can even organise these digital files by school year, making them easy to access later.
This is a great option for saving items like report cards or your child’s best work, without the clutter of paper. Plus, it’s easier to share with family and friends!
4. Set Up a Filing System for What’s Left
For the paperwork you do need to keep—like important test scores, medical forms, or school correspondence—set up a simple filing system. You can use a small file box or binder with labelled folders for each school year. That way, when you need to reference something, you know exactly where to find it.
Make it a habit to file paperwork as it comes in throughout the school year, so you’re not stuck sorting through piles at the end.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Declutter Every Year
At the end of each school year, go through the same process. Regularly decluttering school paperwork means you won’t be buried under years of unnecessary documents. Plus, it keeps things manageable, so you can hold onto the items that really matter.
Wrapping It Up
Dealing with last year’s school paperwork doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By sorting through it, keeping only the essentials, and organising the rest, you can clear the clutter and start fresh. You’ll be glad you did when the new school year rolls around with its own stack of papers!
Written by Alexa Rex
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