Back-to-School Period Prep: Your Complete Checklist for Confidence

Back-to-School Period Prep: Your Complete Checklist for Confidence

The back-to-school season is exciting, but if you’re a teen who menstruates, it can also bring some anxiety. Will your period surprise you during a math test? What if you get cramps during PE? How do you discreetly handle period emergencies between classes?

At RedDrop, we believe that being prepared is the key to confidence. When you have the right supplies and strategies in place, managing your period at school becomes just another part of your routine, not a source of stress. Here’s your complete checklist for period-ready back-to-school prep.

Your School Period Kit Essentials

The Foundation: RedDrop Tween Period Kit - Back to School Edition. Every teen needs a reliable products for their period as 67% of girls get their first period at school. Created based on our cofounder’s experience preparing her fifth-grade students, it contains everything you need for unexpected period days:

  • 1 pack of  EveryDay pads (Size 1) for lighter flow days

  • 1 pack of Flow Day pads (Size 2) for heavy flow days or longer school days

  • 1 pack of FlowNight pad (Size 3) for heavier flow nights

  • 1 pack of Size 4 Maximum Protection pads (5ct)

  • 1 on-the-go pouch that is discreet and perfect for backpacks or purses (style of pouch may vary)

  • 1 period tracker with fun stickers

  • A ‘hall pass’ to show teachers when a bathroom trip is needed

  • 1 pack of 7-wipes


Beyond the Basics: Add these comfort items to create your perfect school period kit:

  • Extra underwear (dark colors are your friend) like our period underwear

  • Small pack of pain relief (if your school allows it)

  • A few raspberry leaf tea bags for the nurse’s office

  • Compression or wool socks for warmth and comfort

  • A small heating pad or hand warmers for cramps like our heat patch

Strategic Kit Placement

Locker Setup: Your locker is your home base for period supplies. Store a complete kit including:

  • Full-size period products for heavy days

  • A change of clothes (dark pants or a long sweater for coverage)

  • Comfortable shoes if your feet swell during your period

  • Any comfort items that help you feel better

Backpack Basics: Keep a smaller, discreet kit in your everyday backpack:

PE and Sports Preparation: For gym class and athletics, you need specialized planning:

  • Period swimwear for swim class (RedDrop’s new line is perfect for this!)

  • Extra-secure products that won’t shift during activity

  • Backup supplies in your gym bag

  • A plan for changing discreetly in locker rooms

Navigating Different School Situations

Long School Days: When you’re at school from 7 AM to 6 PM for activities:

  • Plan for at least two product changes throughout the day

  • Pack extra snacks to maintain energy during your period

  • Know your bathroom break opportunities between classes

  • Communicate with coaches or activity leaders about bathroom needs

Physical Education Class: PE during your period doesn’t have to be miserable:

  • Choose your most secure, comfortable period products

  • Consider RedDrop’s period swimwear for swimming units

  • Wear dark-colored athletic clothes when possible

  • Know that it’s okay to modify activities if you’re experiencing severe cramps

  • Keep backup supplies in your gym locker

Testing Days and Important Events: When you can’t afford period-related distractions:

  • Use your most reliable, longest-lasting products

  • Take appropriate pain relief before school if needed

  • Eat a good breakfast to maintain energy and focus

  • Have a discreet backup plan (supplies in your pencil case or pocket)

  • Remember that teachers understand—don’t suffer in silence

Social Situations and Lunch: Managing periods during social time:

  • Choose lunch foods that don’t worsen bloating or cramps

  • Have a trusted friend who knows your situation and can help if needed

  • Know where the closest, most private bathrooms are located

  • Practice asking for what you need: “Can you save my seat? I need to make a quick stop.”

Building Your Support Network at School

Identifying Safe Adults: Know which adults at school you can turn to for help:

  • School nurses are trained to handle period emergencies

  • Trusted teachers who keep extra supplies in their classrooms

  • Counselors who understand adolescent health needs

  • Administrative staff who can provide passes for bathroom breaks

Friend System: Create a buddy system with close friends:

  • Share your period tracking info with a trusted friend

  • Establish code words for period emergencies

  • Trade supplies when someone runs out

  • Look out for each other during difficult period days

Communication Strategies: Practice ways to ask for help when you need it:

  • “I have a health issue and need to visit the nurse.”

  • “I need a bathroom pass—it’s urgent.”

  • “I’m not feeling well today, could I get an extension on this assignment?”

Managing Academic Performance During Your Cycle

Energy Level Awareness: Different cycle phases affect your academic performance:

  • During your period, focus on reviewing work and more manageable tasks when possible

  • Follicular phase: Great time to start new projects or tackle challenging material

  • Ovulation: Perfect for presentations, tests, and high-energy academic work

  • Luteal phase: Excellent for detail-oriented work and completing projects

Study Schedule Adjustments:

  • Plan intensive studying for when you typically feel most energetic

  • Build in extra time for assignments during your period week

  • Use your high-energy ovulation phase for the most challenging academic work

  • Be gentler with yourself during PMS—still work hard, but with more self-compassion

Dealing with Period Shame and Stigma

Normalizing Period Talk: Your period is a normal bodily function, not something to hide. Here are ways you can normalize it:

  • Practice talking about periods matter-of-factly

  • Don’t apologize for having normal biological needs

  • Help normalize periods for other students by being open when appropriate

  • Remember that roughly half your classmates either have periods or will soon

Handling Accidents with Grace: If a leak happens (and it might), here’s how to handle it:

  • Stay calm—this happens to almost everyone at some point

  • Ask a trusted friend or teacher for help

  • Use your emergency supplies or ask the nurse for assistance

  • Change clothes and carry on—you haven’t done anything wrong

Preparing for the Unexpected

Schedule Disruptions: School schedules can throw off your normal routine:

  • Fire drills during your period require having supplies on you, not just in your locker

  • Field trips need extra planning for bathroom breaks and supply access

  • Late nights studying can affect your cycle timing

  • Stress from exams can make periods heavier or more irregular

Seasonal Considerations: Different seasons bring different challenges:

  • Hot weather can make periods feel more uncomfortable

  • Cold weather might worsen cramps

  • Holiday breaks can disrupt your normal cycle patterns

  • Sports seasons affect both your cycle and your schedule

Technology and Tracking

Useful Systems and Tools:

  • Simple period tracking paper trackers help you predict difficult days

  • Set phone reminders to check supplies and restock kits

  • Use calendar alerts to prepare for your period before it arrives

  • Share tracking info with parents so they can support you better

When to Seek Additional Help

Academic Accommodations: If periods significantly impact your school performance:

  • Talk to the school nurse or counselor about accommodations

  • Request extended time for assignments during severe period days

  • Ask about alternative seating or movement breaks during long classes

  • Know that severe period pain that interferes with learning deserves medical attention

Health Concerns: Consult a healthcare provider if you experience:

  • Periods so heavy that they require changing products every hour

  • Pain so severe that you can’t participate in everyday activities

  • Frequent missed school days due to period symptoms

  • Significant mood changes that affect your relationships or academic performance

Final Confidence Boosters

Remember that managing your period at school is a skill that gets easier with practice. Every teen who menstruates has worried about period emergencies at school—you’re not alone in this concern.

Being prepared isn’t just about having the right supplies (though that’s important). It’s also about developing the confidence to advocate for your needs, the wisdom to plan ahead, and the knowledge that your period is a normal part of being healthy.

At RedDrop, we’re here to support you with products designed specifically for teen bodies and teen lives. Our Code Red Kit isn’t just about emergency preparedness—it’s about giving you the confidence to tackle the school year knowing you’re ready for anything.

Your period doesn’t have to limit your academic success, social life, or school activities. With the proper preparation and mindset, you can handle whatever the school year brings—period included.

Ready for a confident school year? Your preparation starts now.

Photo by Umar ben on Unsplash

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