Use the 8/8/8 method for balancing your life. 1. I only started being organized towards my last 2 years of high school, and even then it was a slow learning process. Oh yay! Below, I made a list of things I use on a daily basis to stay organized both on and off campus. Have a consistent schedule. Make sure you're keeping up with your sleep. Try to sleep for eight hours a day, spend eight working, and eight hours for the rest of your life – time with friends, eating, etc. Plan for everything you have to do. She is the author of "College Stress Solutions" and features on many media outlets. You might have had grand plans about getting organized in college. I’m in college too, and having an up to date planner and referring to my syllabus is absolutely critical! September 4, 2016 . This is something simple students can do to help them stay organized -always making sure that your backpack or such has all the main staples you would need for a typical day. My question is, what would you say about having two different planners for two different purposes? I heard the following from a nurse: bed should be for the three S’s: sleep, sickness, and sex – not work. Thanks Rebecca! I saw what you were saying happening and so I reduced them. You can't stay organized if you aren't alert, and you won't be alert if you are exhausted! I have a friend who spends 15 minutes a day filling their backpack with what they need to work that day. To stay organized in college, you need the mental capability to manage your schedule. Keep a planner, or a planner app. You can track this right alongside your assignments on your calendar, and if you start to fall behind on sleep to the point where it starts to affect you, make sure you give yourself time to catch up. Thank you kindly for all your time and effort! Find something that makes you feel connected to yourself or your spirituality. These are great tips, Sara! Thanks for letting me know! Found you via the Peony Project . don't forget to subscribe & comment down below anything you want!! Do you think I should try to get rid of one or do you think this is manageable? I know I can’t go into college with these habits and expect a positive outcome. Now it looks like I will have to withdraw from the class. (Have you picked up on any themes yet?) I found some pretty useful videos that will help me at least in my last year. When I’m having a hard time staying motivated to keep organized, these few minutes at a time save me from total chaos. No wait, I know I’d have a mental breakdown every other day. It may seem like a lot, but you definitely don’t need to implement all these tips. This is a great post. The only thing I wish I knew was how to organize my things. Make an assignment list. Planner #3 is my fault bullet journal. Also, having more than one will take up a lot of your time. I’m in college too, and having an up to date planner and referring to my syllabus is absolutely critical! I’ve never heard of that before, but it seems super useful! From high school to college and grad school, there’s a lot to keep track of. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, Take Care of Your Physical, Emotional, and Mental Health, 10 Questions You Might Be Asked When You Appeal an Academic Dismissal, 10 Things You Should Know Before You Start College, Steps for Strong Time Management for College Students, Month-by-Month Senior Year College Application Deadlines. You have a lot to stay on top of, and editing your college essay can become a brain-numbing task. It’s easy to get sidetracked hanging with friends, going to parties, blowing off classes, and ignoring your homework. THANKS ONCE AGAIN. I cannot express how many tips and tricks I got through this– even when I was only into the first few. Here are some tips I have for you (that I also use) on how to stay organized in college… The weekly goes more into detail. Being organized means knowing what's going on in your college life at any given point in time. At the end of every night, try to have a clear desk, with just your computer, lamp, or books on it, and no clutter. I have gotten in the habit of putting things off for the past few years. By staying organized, you are less likely to be distracted by items in your workspace that are not conducive to studying or … 32. 8. I love your article……thanks soo much. ... One last thing I do to stay organized is keeping sticky notes on my desk. Don’t question and don’t stop yourself while writing. Thank you for this . I’ll use your tips to help them as much as I can. Everyone knows that student who always says, "Oh, I can't do something then, I'll be up all night cramming for my midterm." Toss duplicates. Towards the end of every quarter I find I’ve let my assignments pile up and left absolutely no time to complete all of them. If I wasn’t an organized person naturally I have no idea how I would make it through college. I love being in college. Have a system for taking notes. In order to stay on top of your coursework this spring, it is critical to find ways to manage your time and responsibilities. Oh my goodness! It will make it easier to review notes later on. Tq for these advices…. While our campuses remained closed to most students/staff, many services and supports are offered online via our COVID-19 Information Centre. Notice that the 8/8/8 rule includes 8 hours of actual work…that doesn’t count time between classes unless you are working on class…also doesn’t count lunch or other breaks. You can create a weekly schedule or even daily schedules. Nov 20, 2020. So give yourself a little TLC and remember that taking care of your health is an integral part of reaching your college goals. But now that you're in college, you can keep your dorm room as messy as you want, right? Give one away put it in storage for when your first one breaks or runs out. If you have any advice for me to keep on top of my assignments that would be ideal. If you know you have a major paper due, plan to work on it — and finish it — a few days in advance. I love this site. 30 minutes before bed I plan my next day! For those who are more easily distracted, timers will help you stay on task, while allowing time for breaks. How To Stay Organized In College. This is so fantastic, Sara! And, with a few inexpensive supplies you can surely do that. Good luck with getting organized! Thank you so much for posting it (and including Organized Charm)! Waking up at the same time every day will help you avoid this and get into a set schedule. Planner . 1. I admit that I consistently fail at this, but I know that my boyfriend finds it very useful. Of course you may easily catch large typos, but sometimes after reading and rereading the same piece of writing again and again, it all begins to blend together a little, and you’re bound to miss some little (or even big) mistakes. Mental health is so incredibly important, not just for being organized, but for being a balanced and happy person. Use Google Calendar (or another app) to keep your events organized Use a to-do list system to organize tasks Use a cloud-based storage system to keep all your class materials in one place Pack your backpack the night before That way, your planner is more than a helpful reminder of what you could have accomplished today: it’s an actual guide to what you will be doing. Once it's in your planner, stick to that schedule the best you can. You get to have a copy of your permanent schedule on hand. It is free and highly customizable – you can block any website you like. Go easy on yourself. Consequently, what organizing systems worked for you a month or two ago might not work any longer. Loved this post! 40. So stay on top of your budget and know where you're money has gone, where it is, and where it's headed. Having some calendar is the most important part of staying organized through the chaos that is college. It helps me stay focused and optimistic! I wish you lots of success in your journey back to school! 12. Unplugging is a healthy way to curb stress and keep yourself from wasting too much time on the internet. Hey Wally! How I Stay Organized in College. Whether you are a freshman or senior, it can be hard to stay organized in college. Just read them over and see which ones fit you and your lifestyle. I just graduated college, but so many of these things apply in just plain life too! 25. Clean study area. Making your bed will keep your room clean, and will keep you from crawling back in if you’re sleepy. Love this, thanks so much, I’m starting grad school in this fall. http://www.collegeruled.com is no longer a valid website — as amazing as it was. (Only school things that go in there are big projects, quizzes, exams, and finals). Thank *you*, Kristen, for sharing your great organizational methods online! This will help keep your desk neat and organized. Using the same washi tape on your cord ends will help you know what to unplug when you’re in a rush. Putting things off for the first few months of college high school because there less! Great semester things off for the long road ahead it sounds, a senior psychology. Copy of your time and study effectively maintain a ’ s wonderful hear! College can really make or break your college life into your planner, use red pen to the! In order to stay organized both on and off campus keep posted in my last years. 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