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September is self-improvement month according to, well, the Internet. When I tried to research the origins of the designation, I couldn’t find much. No matter the origin, September makes a lot of sense as a time to dedicate time to reflect on positive changes you want to make in your life.

Whether you teach, have a student in your household, are currently a student or none of the above, something about the back-to-school season signals a time for new routines. As the days begin to shorten and summer activities adjourn, everyone seems to get to work on something new.

Even if you haven’t seen a classroom since, well, the Internet, it’s time to take advantage of the spirit of September and sharpen your skills by thinking like a student--specifically a college student. (Don’t worry, there is no admissions test.)

My family recently traveled out west for 2.5 weeks, enjoying AAA baseball, science and natural history museums, national parks and historic landmarks. We also enjoyed forgetting a sentimental Curious George stuffie in the Mesa Verde National Park lodge (thanks for sending it back, Janice!), complaints about not wanting to look out the window at any more scenery and dodged a few forest fires.

But we did have a great time! And I thought I’d share five things that helped (or would have helped and will help next time) just in time for your Labor Day Weekend travels.

Back-to-school season is just around the corner, and for many families, that means the chaotic transition from summer break to the fall semester is about to begin. Get your family ready for the new school year, drama-free, with these five easy steps:

“Five more minutes!”

This is a universal time unit that parents use both when we are trying to stall for more time, “just give me five more minutes to finish talking to Mommy’s friend, and then we’ll set up the Legos,” and when we are trying to hurry up time, “Five more minutes until bedtime.”

Tomorrow, Meghan Markle will shock the world when she begins her walk down the aisle alone, asserting independence as a feminist, then escorted by Prince Charles, her future father-in-law, on her way to becoming the first black member of the House of Windsor.

But that’s not the only headline shocking the system: Analog clocks, which have long-adorned classroom walls, stately entries and, of course, on Big Ben, are going the way of fruitcake for weddings.

With the rise of cell phones and digital clocks, the U.K. has run into a modern problem: students are having trouble reading analog clocks. This issue has become so rampant that officials in the U.K. have begun removing analog clocks from examination halls and classrooms, according to recent reports.

Can’t bring a side dish for the PTA Staff Appreciation Lunch? It’s OK. It doesn’t have to be during Teacher Appreciation Week, and it definitely should not be ONLY for Teacher Appreciation Week.

I realize not every teacher seems to be getting through to your kids, or maybe they seem to be hanging on until retirement. But they show up every day, and so we need to show up for them. Here are five easy ways you can thank a teacher—in less than 5 minutes.

EZPZ, one of Time Timer®'s partners in the Essential Eight Sensory Tools campaign, offers great advice on how to use the tools at mealtime if you have a child with Autism in this blog that also appears in their website.

In advance of Autism Awareness Month, which begins next week, Time Timer and a group of like-minded companies that create sensory tools for individuals with autism curated the Essential Eight Sensory Tools to help individuals (and, especially, children) with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) navigate everyday life without sensory overload.

“Many parents of children newly diagnosed with autism aren’t aware of the many tools that can help them and their child manage the stress in everyday activities that the disorder can create,” says Heather Rogers, Vice President, Marketing & Operations of Time Timer, one of the essential tools. “We want to make it easier for parents to find ways to help their children feel calm and have their senses stimulated. From chewy jewelry to weighted pets to silent fidgets, this virtual toolbox of sensory products was designed with them and their child in mind.”

It’s a new year, and you’re probably trying to start new habits. One great way to make time for new pursuits and healthy habits is by simply managing your time well so that you have the extra time to go to the gym or make a healthy dinner. We’ve got you covered with six top tips for managing time in the new year.

There are many digital apps to choose from to help us manage our schedules, plans, and tasks, but how do you filter through all of them and find one that works? We reviewed some of the top apps for helping productivity, listed below. All of the apps are also compatible with our Time Timer app ® (more on that later). 

If you’re looking for a planner that primarily covers your work day, look no further. We reached out to various professionals and asked them what they use to be most productive, and we’re sharing our findings with you. No more excuses. Make the new year your year for productivity and time management!