I thought I had the whole “time management” thing down pat. While everyone was busy getting their binders and notebooks together for the first day of classes I was off exploring campus and finding any excuse to not do anything school related. So, when the first day of classes came around I was woefully underprepared for school, and after accidentally missing a class and forgetting to turn in a Spanish assignment in the first two weeks of school I realized that I needed to get my life together fast. A girl on my hall told me that she was experiencing the same issues and suggested I try bullet journaling.

I was hesitant at first because I thought bullet journaling was only for that tumblr aesthetic but I decided to give it a try. I found an old journal in my room (good thing about bullet journaling is that you don't need to be fancy… just organized). I started off with writing down everything I had to do for the week and once I did, I already felt way more organized. I continued with my schedule, eventually breaking down my time and organizing assignments by priority until I had a concrete plan for the week.

I am proud to say that since I have started bullet journaling that I haven’t missed an assignment or a class…I even turned my chem lab in early. So, if you’re like me and you’re struggling with managing your time because you’re too busy trying to do everything just make a plan and remember it doesn’t have to be fancy; this is only to help you get organized.

The first thing to do when you get your bullet journal, (that will make all of the difference) is setting up the first few pages before you get started. There's no need to plan out an entire year's worth of layouts and study plans and dates on the first day cause you can always add to the journal later. To be honest, if you really get into bullet journaling you'll likely fill multiple journals in a single year.

As time goes by and you get better at journaling and finding styles and methods that you help you get more organized you'll start to discover what you need and don't need included in your journals. One of the biggest lessons I've learned since I started bullet journaling is that you will make mistakes (in pen!) and you just have to roll with it.

Your bullet journal doesn't have to look like the ones on Instagram. As long as the journal helps you then you're good. It's best not to get too detail orientated over your journal. Just enjoy writing and planning as you get your life and academics under control.