Back-to-school season: the two-week period when everyone’s calendars are inexplicably full. It’s a time of fresh starts, from new notebooks to reconnecting with friends. For parents and kids alike, it's a mix of anticipation and preparation. With all this going on, we wanted to know what this time of year means to our Ipsos iSay community. We asked them to look back on their own experiences and share the ways they get their kids ready for a new year of learning. Here’s what they had to say.
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Remembering the Best Parts
Looking back at their teenage years, our community members from 16 countries were quick to tell us what they loved most about the back-to-school season.
What's the first thing you remember about going back to school as a kid? For our members from North America, it was the feeling of holding a new pack of pens or a crisp notebook. In fact, 4 in 10 (42%) said picking out new supplies was their favourite part of the season. Another 26% felt the pull of summer memories, while 20% simply loved the feeling of a fresh start that each new year brought.
But beyond the supplies, what really stuck with people? Looking back on their entire school careers, our community was loud and clear: it was all about the social connections.
Over half of our European members (a combined 43.3% and 28%) said their fondest memories were of friends and social life—even more so than favourite teachers or school trips. Clearly, the friendships we make are the real foundation of our school memories.
The Modern Back-to-School Dash
For today's parents, the chaos of the school year often starts before the first bell even rings. When we asked what takes the most effort, the top answer was getting everyone up and out the door. The morning rush is real, with 36% of our community struggling most with waking everyone up on time, and another 30% feeling the pressure of simply getting out the door. Homework time was a distant third at 22.6%, proving that for many families, the biggest hurdle is just surviving the morning routine!
So how do parents tackle all this? Most parents take a multi-pronged approach, but the most popular strategy is to combine talking about the new year, shopping for supplies, and setting new routines. But they also remember the social side of things, as most of their kids get the most excited about reconnecting with friends. In fact, a staggering 68% of kids feel this way, far more than those who are excited about new subjects (17%) or new school supplies (9%).
What We Really Remember About School
When we asked our community to look back on their school days, what stood out most wasn't the homework or the tests—it was the people. Over 43% said their most memorable moments were about their friends and social life. It turns out that the bonds we form are far more lasting than the lessons we learn.
While subjects we enjoyed and school trips were also important, they trailed far behind, with only 14% and 8% respectively. Even favourite teachers, who had a big impact, were a distant fourth, remembered by just 7%. For many, school wasn't just about getting an education; it was about building a social world. In fact, more than a quarter of our community (28%) agreed that it was a combination of all these factors, proving that the best memories are often the sum of many great parts.
🌟 The Takeaway
The back-to-school season is a whirlwind of preparation and emotion. From the thrill of a new notebook to the challenge of a new routine, it reminds us that the best parts of school are often the simple ones. Whether reminiscing about your own school days or supporting your children in theirs, the season reminds us how important social connections, routines, and new experiences are to the joy of learning.
*These results represent Ipsos iSay web visitors in 16 European countries and North America and may not reflect the views of the general population.
