Back-to-School Survey 2022 — Results

Here are the results from our Back-to-School Survey 2022. Thank you to all who participated!

Are you shopping for back-to-school supplies this year?

• Yes (59%)
• No (41%)

(if "yes") What grade(s) are you shopping for? (select all that apply)

• K-4 (39%)
• 5-8 (34%)
• 9-12 (32%)
• College (28%)
• Pre-K (15%)
• Other [please specify] (6%)

(if "yes") Do you expect to spend more or less than last year on back-to-school supplies?

• More (53%)
• The same as last year (29%)
• Less (18%)

(if "yes") Do you rent books or buy new ones?

• N/A (48%)
• Buy New (35%)
• Rent (17%)

If renting, why? (select all that apply)

• To save money (81%)
• Only need the book for one semester (44%)
• Don’t have the funds for a new book (30%)
• To be more Eco-friendly (28%)

(if "yes") How will you be doing the majority of your back-to-school shopping?

• Shopping online (51%)
• Going to physical stores (49%)

(if "yes") How much do you typically spend per child on back-to-school supplies?

• $50 to $100 (35%)
• $101 to $250 (26%)
• Less than $50 (23%)
• $251 to $500 (11%)
• $501 to $1,000 (4%)
• More than $1,000 (1%)

When do/did you typically start shopping for back-to-school supplies?

• Late summer (37%)
• Throughout the year (32%)
• Middle of summer [peak season] (26%)
• Once school ends [late spring/early summer] (5%)

Do/did you take your kids shopping for back-to-school supplies? 

• Yes, I let them pick out their own school supplies. (56%)
• No, I leave them at home. (44%)

How do/did you feel about back-to-school shopping?

• Indifferent (43%)
• Excited (26%)
• Stressed (22%)
• I strongly dislike it. (9%)

Which of the following do you plan to do in order to save money this back-to-school season? (select all that apply)

• Using a cashback website (71%)
• Using coupons (68%)
• Reusing last year’s back-to-school supplies (47%)
• Shopping during off-seasons (36%)
• I don’t plan on using any savings (9%)

Do you plan to shop back-to-school sales?

• Yes (80%)
• No (20%)

(if "yes") What’s on your shopping list for back-to-school sales? (select all that apply)

• School supplies [notebooks, pens, markers, etc.] (82%)
• New clothes and shoes (74%)
• New backpack (53%)
• Technology/appliances [new computer, new phone, mini fridge, etc.] (38%)
• Safety necessities [face mask, gloves, hand sanitizer, etc.] (36%)
• Sports equipment (16%)
• Dorm necessities (13%)
• Other [please specify] (4%)

What’s your go-to excuse when you didn’t do your homework? (select up to 2 responses)

• I told the truth. (53%)
• “I didn’t understand the assignment.” (27%)
• “I was sick.” (21%)
• “I didn’t know there was an assignment.” (18%)
• “I left it at school over the weekend.” (12%)
• “My dog/pet ate it.” (4%)

What type of student do you think you were?

• Teacher’s pet/Overachiever (28%)
• Carefree (24%)
• Nerd (18%)
• Creative/Artsy (13%)
• Interrogator [always asking questions] (8%)
• Class clown (5%)
• Athlete (4%)

Most of the time, did you bring a lunch to school or did you buy it in the cafeteria?

• Brought my lunch from home (52%)
• Bought lunch in the cafeteria (48%)

Did you ever start/participate in a food fight?

• No (90%)
• Yes (10%)

Did you ever fall asleep in class?

• Yes (52%)
• No (48%)

Did you ever skip school?

• Yes (60%)
• No (40%)

Do you still keep in touch with anyone from high school?

• Yes (70%)
• No (30%)

The survey polled a cross-section of 2,482 adults, aged 18 and over.