10 Smart Ways To Be ~And Stay~ More Organized This School Year
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Smart Ways To Be ~And Stay~ More Organized This School Year

Let's get off on the right foot this time...

13
10 Smart Ways To Be ~And Stay~ More Organized This School Year

It's no secret that staying organized (consistently) at school can be a real challenge. With so much going on each week, it can be difficult to keep your thoughts, events, and living space in order. So, I'm bringing you my personally used top 10 ways to start off this school year as organized as possible— and keep it going until the year's end:

1. Buy a planner.

This is #1 on the list for a reason.

I always have my planner by my side, and it honestly holds my whole life. All of my responsibilities and events live here, and I love being able to open it up and see exactly what I need to accomplish each day and for the rest of the week. A planner will definitely help you mentally organize your schedule.

2. Make lists. 

These lists can be separate from your planner or written right inside! Keeping a to-do list will help you feel much more centered and ready to attack the day ahead. Writing out everything is the best way to remember to get things done and help you feel less overwhelmed.

3. Think about your day when you wake up.

This tactic tends to fly under the radar with most people, but it's helped me immensely throughout my college career. When I wake up, I think about everything I'd like to get done before writing it all down. This way, I can picture when and how I'm going to accomplish everything that I need to.

Tip: don't forget to schedule in some ~free~ time, too! Every day doesn't have to be so "go go go!" It's perfectly okay to acknowledge the downtime that you will inevitably need.

4. Prioritize your time. 

There's a time for sitting in your bed scrolling through Instagram and there's a time to get up, get moving, and get your work done. Prioritize the time you need to devote to school and your extracurricular activities before wasting hours on your phone (you'll thank yourself on Friday night).

5. Wake up one hour earlier.

This might be hard for some, but it will pay off if you consistently struggle to find time to get done the little things each day. Adding in just one extra hour of productivity can yield major results and more free time for your entire week.

6. Develop some sort of morning routine.

Morning routines have the power to make every day so much smoother, I swear. Granted, they aren't for everyone...but the only way to find out if a morning routine is right for you is to try one out! For example, when I wake up every morning I aim to drink lots of water with lemon, write in my journal, meditate if I have extra time, and have a wholesome breakfast with minimal phone use until the afternoon.

In a perfect world, I would always be able to start all of my mornings this way. But, as busy college students, I'm lucky if I manage to squeeze it in just 3 times per week. However, having the routine there when you can implement it is important in becoming more organized (especially mentally).

7. Set deadlines for yourself.

Write down exactly when you want certain things to get done— don't be afraid to give yourself some tough love to finish up your work. If you want a paper done two days before it's due, do your absolute best to meet that goal.

8. Keep only what you need.

Everything should have its own place. If you're feeling overwhelmed with how much STUFF you have, sit down and go through all of it. Ask yourself, "do I really need this?" Chances are, you own many things (clothes and nic-nacs especially) that you really don't wear/use. Donate or sell them!

9. Do it now, put it away now, schedule it now.

"I'll start Monday," "I'll do it tomorrow," "I have time to finish this later."

All of these sentences will never yield success or organization. If you're scrolling through Twitter and thinking about how you want to reorganize your closet or pick up and fold the dirty clothes on your floor, JUST DO IT. Don't wait. The longer you put things off, the messier things get.

10. Keep your backpack clean.

You carry it with you every day to class, and it's where most of your school life lives—so keep it clean! A clean backpack = a more organized life, in my opinion. When you start to get cluttered and unorganized with your school papers, so do your thoughts and duties.

Recycle papers when you no longer need them and don't let any trash pile up in those side pockets!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

46658
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

29588
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

953817
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

165575
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments