Who knew that 180 days could be so long? After nine years, you’d think I would be able to remember that those 180 days do come to an end eventually. As I write this, we have exactly twenty more days until the end of our school year. Twenty more days until the end of the tunnel.

Whether you school for the traditional nine months or school year round, at some point in time, you need to close out your records for one school year. Wait—close out records? You mean there’s more to the end of the tunnel than a party and a trip to the ice cream store to celebrate the completion of another school year? Yes, there is.

The end of the school year is the time to finish up your children’s portfolios, record their final grades (if you choose to grade), clean out desks (boxes, files, bookshelves, etc.), put away this year’s books and curricula, and file your state’s necessary paperwork. If you do all this now, you’ll be ready to start stocking new supplies when they’re on sale—hint, you’ll be able to see what you have and what you need by cleaning up first—and you’ll have room to bring home all the new books and curricula you find at used book fairs and conventions.

Just in case you’re wondering why I even mentioned portfolios for everyone, even those whose states don’t require them, check out my blog article entitled “Papers, Papers Everywhere—Not! or How and Why to Create a Portfolio.” Basically, you’re creating a record of your children’s accomplishments for grandparents, friends, yourself, and your school district (but only if it’s required). I am not suggesting that you give the state anything other than the minimum. This is for YOU. It’s so that when you’re in the middle of next year’s tunnel, you can look back over all that your children have accomplished and see the progress towards the light at the end.

Come towards the light, my friends. When you reach the end of your tunnel, drop me a line to let me know how you celebrated and how you organized your records.

Bethany S. LeBedz has been married for over fifteen years and is the homeschooling mother to two delightful girls, ages thirteen and eleven. She lives in North Carolina. In addition to homeschooling, she is also a freelance editor and writer. She posts homeschool organization tips and educational reviews to her blog momishome2. In her (very limited) free time, she enjoys reading, participating in Daughters of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution, and performing in musical events.