MT. LAUREL, N.J., Aug. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. professional organizers say a less-stressed school year can be not just a dream but a reality -- if parents and students do a little organizing first.

The National Association of Professional Organizers says a productive and less stressed school year is matter of getting organizational systems into place and using them.

"Organizing means more than simply having No. 2 pencils, notebooks and calculators on hand," Standolyn Robertson, NAPO president, said in a statement. "It's about creating order and developing organizational systems that make sense to you and your family."

Robertson advises before school gets started to:
-- Have a family meeting to determine missteps from the last school year and discuss how to make the new school year more organized.
-- Find a place for supplies children use daily and to store supplies. Inventory school supplies several times a year to eliminate being caught short before a big project.
-- Designate a place for doing homework and homework time.
-- Use a planner to track family members' schedules. Create areas for incoming/outgoing papers and filing system.
-- The night before school, pack lunch and leave in refrigerator, pick out clothes, pack school bag, set out breakfast dishes.