Every semester before classes start, I do my best to strategically plan how I am going to stay organized and hopefully do well without being all over the place. Maybe it's just me, but in case it's not, I figured I would share a few tips on how to stay organized this semester.
1. Use a planner. I know everyone says this, but it's because a planner really is a lifesaver. As long as you use it properly and keep it with you all the time, you'll find it will really make a difference.
2. Synchronize your planner and syllabi. As soon as you have all of your syllabi for classes, it will be super helpful for you to put due dates, tests, exams, and anything else that's important for classes on the corresponding dates in your planner. On the weekly pages of you planner you can also put reminders for yourself for things that will be due in coming weeks.
3. Get a big calendar for your wall. Do the same thing you did with your planner by putting due dates and other important events in the corresponding days and by having it on your wall, you can see everything at once and make a plan to get everything done.
4. Sticky notes are key. I love sticky notes because they come in handy whenever I need to jot anything down quickly so I don't forget, but also as a way to make more space in my planner. Sticky notes are great for adding random reminders or lists in your planner that might not fit otherwise.
5. Keep classes separate. Use separate notebooks or binders and folders for each of your classes. It's a lot easier to find an assignment sheet for your math class in your math folder than it is to find in your math, english, science, and history folder.
6. Schedule important things. I know it might seem overly intense or unnecessary, but scheduling these things out (and then sticking to that schedule) can make sure you actually make time to get done the things that you need to do like studying or laundry.
7. Make to do lists. For things that don't have as strict of a time crunch but still need to get done, to do lists are great. Plus, it's such a great feeling to cross things off.
8. Write/type out your schedule. Make a week long schedule that includes when you have each of your classes every day as well as any work or volunteer shifts you have every week.
9. Plan the night before. This one is a real cliché, I know, and I'm definitely still working on it, but it truly makes mornings significantly easier. Having your bag, lunch, and outfit ready also makes mornings faster, so that means more time to sleep in.
All of this is what works for me, but I know everyone handles things differently so feel free to pick and choose whatever works for you. When you get into the flow of the semester everyone usually creates their own ways of doing things, but just try not to fall into disarray, at least not from the very start.
