Top Tips for Back to School

Top Tips and Tech for Back to School

As summer draws to a close, families everywhere start preparing for the back-to-school season. The flurry of activities and responsibilities can be overwhelming for both parents and students. To ease the transition, we’ve put together a list of essential tips and tech recommendations to help ensure a smooth start to the school year, all supported by Highline’s advanced fiber network. From must-have devices to effective study habits, our guide has everything you need to kick off a successful academic year!

Recommended Back-to-School Devices and Tech

1. Tablets and Laptops:
Tablets have become essential for students, offering a portable yet powerful tool for learning and communication. If your child’s school hasn't recommended or provided a specific tablet, consider these options:

• Apple iPad (10th Generation): A great choice for families already using the iOS ecosystem, this 10.9-inch screen tablet delivers excellent performance at an affordable price.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra: Ideal for those who prefer a robust Android-based tablet, featuring a 14.6-inch screen and 256 GB of storage.

For students, especially high schoolers, who require more power and functionality than a tablet can provide, a laptop might be necessary. Laptops today are lighter and more powerful than ever, making them a great choice. Check out the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook—we love it for its outstanding 15-hour battery life, stunning OLED 13.3” screen, and the convenience and portability of its 2-in-1 design.

2. Smart Planners:
While paper planners remain useful, smart planners elevate organization by combining traditional note-taking with digital convenience. The Rocketbook Fusion Notebook + Planner, integrated with Android and iOS apps, offers detailed templates for calendars and to-do lists, making organization a breeze.

3. Noise-Canceling Headphones:
Noise-canceling headphones are essential for kids working online, especially in shared spaces at home or school. The Soundcore Space Q45 by Anker is both affordable and durable, offering quality sound and effective noise cancellation. These headphones help students (and those around them) stay focused.

Tablets, smart planners, and noise-canceling headphones are crucial tools for modern learning, but maintaining a healthy balance of screen time is equally important. Here are some tips to help parents ensure their children use tech effectively without overindulging.

Tips for a Successful School Year

Tip 1: Schedule Homework and Study Times
One of the toughest challenges in transitioning back to the school year is shifting from the relaxed summer schedule to the more structured demands of the academic calendar. Establishing consistent and recurring homework and study times at the start of the semester can help your child adjust and stay on track.

A set time for schoolwork each day fosters a routine that balances academic demands with extracurricular activities and social time. The smart planner device and app we recommended earlier can be a great tool to help your child establish this habit.

Tip 2: Limit Screen Time on Non-School Devices
While tech can enhance learning, too much screen time isn't beneficial for anyone. Thankfully, many devices offer screen time limits that parents can set to manage their child’s device and internet usage.

Limiting screen time on devices like smartphones can help prevent distractions while your child works on their tablet or laptop. It also encourages real-world engagement with family and friends. With the HighlineFast app, you can set and monitor screen time and other limits on specific apps like YouTube, TikTok, and games like Minecraft and Roblox. The app also sends personalized notifications when time limits are reached.

Tip 3: Enforce Bedtimes
Our final tip is a classic—enforce a strict bedtime. Even for older kids, a consistent bedtime is a healthy habit that builds structure into the daily routine, giving young minds the necessary rest they need after a full day of learning and activities.

To prevent late-night scrolling, use the HighlineFast app to schedule Internet downtimes and bedtimes. 

By following these tips and incorporating the recommended tech, you can help your children start the school year on the right foot. Follow us on social media for more device recommendations and advice on maximizing Highline’s high-speed fiber internet!