I know many people may dread the back-to-school season, parents, kids and teachers alike, but is it really all that bad? I mean, I get to shop for new clothes and school supplies, enrol my daughter in dance class, rush both kids to their yearly appointments, prepare lesson plans, wake up before the sun rises, take the car in for an oil change, plan out school lunches, rush the kids to daycare, learn the names of over 150 students, establish routines, iron clothes, juggle lengthly to-do lists and do it all while avoiding spontaneous combustion. 

Um...

How many days until Christmas vacation?

Let's face it. Back-to-school can be a difficult transition but getting organized can play a large role in easing the anxieties and ensuring everyone starts the year off on the right foot. This is why I'm turning to Post-it to help the kids and I get back into routine and stay organized throughout the year.

First and foremost on my list of organizational essentials is a family calendar. And yes, this is  in addition to the calendar app on my smart phone. Having a large wall calendar in a central location is much more effective in providing visual reminders for the whole family. We keep ours in the kitchen, as does parenting expert Alyson Schafer. This year, we are using the Post-it Note Weekly Planner to help keep track of everyone's individual schedules in one convenient location. It includes 26 weekly planning pages as well as six packs of full adhesive Post-it Super Sticky notes that fit perfectly into the squares on the calendar. What I love most about this calendar is that I can remove notes for weekly events, such as dance class or swim practice, and re-use them week after week. I attached the wall planner using the four sets of Command picture hanging strips, which are also included and easy to use. Did I mention brilliant?

If room allows, why not add a place to jot down notes right next to the family calendar? A dry-erase surface would be a perfect way to post little notes or leave important messages. With Post-it Dry Erase Surface, you can have an instant whiteboard in a matter of minutes. You can easily cut to fit and customize to suit your needs or get creative by transforming non-traditional areas. My daughter used it for the inside cover of her school binder, making it even more functional. Check out Alyson Schafer's tips to help kids maximize creativity and productivity.

Still in denial that summer is nearing an end? So am I. But, with the Post-it Miami Collection, I can still revel in the vibrant colours of the summer and bring a taste of the south to my office. These are not just your ordinary Post-it Notes. These are Super Sticky Notes that were designed with revolutionary adhesive technology that lets you stick them pretty much anywhere and reposition them without marking paper or other surfaces. Use these to keep track of chores, jot down ideas or take messages. My new favourite is the Post-it Super Sticky Full Adhesive Notes since they stay put and come in fashionable colours such as their exotic Bora Bora collection. And because they are recyclable, they are a great alternative to using a full sheet of binder paper when a 3" x 3" note will suffice. 

Another back-to-school must-have to help keep both students and teachers organized is a set of Post-it Flags, available in a myriad of designs. These are great for bookmarking pages in textbooks, tagging the current day in the school agenda, or highlighting where a signature is required using their "sign here" printed tags. I keep these in my desk drawer next to my new Post-it Full Adhesive Roll, available in a sleek design. With this, I can easily dispense a label at whatever length I need it.

For more ideas on how to get organized, visit the Inspiration That Sticks blog. Post-it products are available at most major retailers, including Staples where teachers can save even more on Staples Teacher Appreciation Days!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.