Your guide to a smarter back-to-school season

(NC) With students starting to fill their backpacks and their schedules, the back-to-school season is set to begin—it’s an exciting and sometimes overwhelming time. 

Whether you’re prepping school lunches, managing health needs or heading off to college yourself, these practical tips will help students and families ease into the season. 

Allergy awareness in the classroom 

Sending kids to school means more than packing lunches and checking supplies. For families managing severe allergies, it’s also about ensuring safety. Review your child’s emergency action plan and help them build confidence in using an epinephrine auto-injector, such as an EpiPen, or asking for help using it. Make sure caregivers know how to administer it, and where in the school it’s stored. Some schools let students carry their own, so check with school administration.  

epipen.ca 

Money smarts for student life 

Whether you’re moving away for college or balancing part-time work with studies, budgeting is key to staying afloat. Start by knowing what you owe and track where your money goes—apps like the one from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada can help. Prioritize your needs over your wants, and focus on repaying loans early if possible, which helps lower the amount you pay in interest. Build good credit to your finances down the road. 

canada.ca/money 

Healthy snacks for busy school days 

Packing balanced snacks can be a challenge during the back-to-school rush. Fresh, in-season produce makes it easier to keep everyone energized. Try apple slices with cheese or nut butter, colourful veggie sticks with dip or grapes paired with whole grain crackers. For a quick treat, layer pear slices with yogurt and granola, or bake muffins with pumpkin or squash. These simple, portable options are perfect for school, work or on-the-go breaks.  

foryourlife.ca/food