30 Back to School Journal Writing Prompts

When I was growing up, I was often so anxious on the first day of school that I ended up sick and missing it. No joke – I actually made myself sick with nervousness. In hindsight, writing my thoughts in a journal would have probably helped tremendously. Then my parents could have talked to me about the worries that now seem ridiculous: What if no one wants to talk to me? What if the teacher hates me? What if no one likes me?

Soon we’ll be back in the routine of taking kids to the bus stop, helping with homework, or perhaps we’ll be returning to school ourselves. Take a few minutes to answer a few of these journal prompts and feel better knowing that you’ve planned for a successful year.

1. What is your most memorable first day of school?
2. When you were a kid, did you dress up on your first day of school? What was your favorite outfit?
3. How do you envision your morning routine? Nighttime routine?
4. What’s your goal for this year?
5. Write a “back to school” prayer.
6. If you could take any course in the world, what would you want to learn?
7. Are you an auditory, visual, read-write, or kinesthetic learner? What about your family members – what kind of learner are they? If you aren’t familiar with the different types, check out this video.
8. Can you think of a “getting to know you” game that you actually enjoyed? Describe it.
9. What was your nickname growing up? What are your children’s nicknames?
10. Write a short bio on each of your kids. What is their favorite color? What are they good at? What food(s) do they dislike?
11. Have you ever given a teacher a gift on the first day of school? What was it?
12. Who was your favorite teacher? Why?
13. Are you an early bird or a night owl?
14. What was your favorite subject? Do your kids have similar interests?
15. Did you learn a musical instrument growing up? Do you still play?
16. What did you say you would be when you grew up? How has that changed?
17. Did you learn a second language in school? Why did you choose that language?
18. What advice do you have for your kids with regards to balancing school with friends?
19. How do you stay organized throughout the year?
20. Do you keep a family calendar?
21. What’s one must-have for the first day of school?
22. Did you have a back to school clothing budget when you were growing up? How did you spend that money?
23. How do you ensure that your children’s learning continues at home?
24. Do you like to read books? What’s the last one you finished?
25. If you’re going back to school, write yourself a motivational statement that will keep you on track when you feel down.
26. What are you looking forward to this year?
27. Write down what each child is excited about for the ___ grade.
28. Is there something you want the teacher to know about you or your child?
29. Find an inspirational quote that will help you get through the school year.
30. Will you and your kids be keeping journals this year? Why or why not?

Returning to school or taking classes? Good luck to you! Your education is an investment in yourself and that’s extremely valuable. Remember to focus and take it one day at a time. You can do it.

Kids going back to school? Good luck to you, too! While it might be nice to get back into a routine, there are still some things about summer that you’ll miss. Write them down in your journal and you’ll instantly feel better. Promise.

There’s no better time to start writing in a journal. Open your free JRNL account at JRNL.com.