Seeing as I am writing this article last minute while frantically studying for final exams, I have not followed the advice I am about to share with you all too well this past week. I am desperately hanging on to my sanity while wearing Christmas sweaters and singing Christmas songs. And I still feel like Christmas is so far away. However, I began this semester with planning and a whole lot of lists. So if this does not sound like you, here are some helpful tips to help you kick start spring semester with a little more organization and a little less late night studying where you feel like you have been reduced to a miserable shell of a human being.

Bring Only What You Need

This helps when it comes to the tidiness of your cramped dorm room, especially when you must share it with another freshman college student who over packed just as much as you did. If you are a girl and have different wardrobes for each season it is helpful to go through all the clothes you own and separate them into groups. One for the fall, one for the winter, one for spring/summer, and one for essentials that you should always have on your person whether you are at school or home. The final group is dedicated to things such as that shirt that you keep telling yourself you will wear one day when the timing is right, you finally start going to the gym, or you just happen to need that color for a costume. If you do not use it at your house you will not use it at college and you will most likely never use it. So just donate things that you no longer wear to someone in need. Only take with you the clothes you need for the current season. Leave bins in your car so that when you go home for spring break you can pack up all your winter things for home and come back with all your spring/summer clothes.

Have a Planner, Whiteboard, OR BOTH.

Writing things down helps you remember them. It is a proven fact and one that I have seen proven true for me again and again. Sometimes it takes writing things down more than one time with more than one medium. I find that writing down all of my assignments as well as all the other errands I must remember throughout the day, saves my life. I have a trick that I use to avoid procrastination. If I have been assigned a major assignment not due for a whole month and can see myself waiting until the night before to start it, I separate it into parts and write reminders to myself once a week on a calendar to finish a certain part of it. This way you will retain what you learn from it better and have no trouble making the deadline.

Make Accountability Partners Out of Your Friends

If you have friends in the same classes as you or just some that you hang out with a lot, tell them goals that you have for the semester such as improving your grade in a certain class or going to the gym more. State "If you do not see me doing this, force me to". If you have good friends, they will. If they are just as lazy as you, make sure you help them out by giving them reminders or having study sessions together. Build each other up and encourage positive habits.

Study the Right Way

We have all studied just enough to get away with a decent grade by staying up all hours of the night and mainlining coffee into our systems. This is sometimes not something you can help. But most of the time, with correct preparation, you can avoid it. Make sure you ask your professors when they believe tests will be if they do not have them listed in the syllabus. Some like to be devious and only tell you about it a weekend away. If this is the case all you can do is begin reviewing the day they tell you. If you know a few weeks in advance, begin studying daily. This can be as little as a 15 minute review. I find it easy to make online flashcards and practice tests on Quizlet with vocab, formulas, and review questions. If you do this a few weeks in advance you can go through a round of flashcards every other day until your big test. If it is more of a problem-solving test use your textbook, online supplement, or any notes from class to practice at least 2 problems a day until the test. This way you will remember the information longer and do better on the test. If you cram it it could be lost within hours of handing in that possibly barely passing test.

Use Your School's Resources

Depending on where you attend, these vary. However, many schools provide a multitude of resources to aid you. You may not realize half of them exist, and yet, you are paying for it. Make sure you read up on your school's website about everything from academic to extracurricular resources available. For example, academically, most schools provide peer and professional tutors. Don't think for one second that going to a tutor means you are not smart or will make you look bad. Everyone can improve in areas and, in my experience, they have helped boost my grades and given me techniques to do assignments that I never thought about before. On the other hand, for those low on money, schools provide tons of extracurricular events and trips that are free of charge. Look at your school's calendar or ask around. This may save you and your friends gas money or a night of boredom. Do not be afraid to ask questions of any upperclassmen or faculty. They were once new to everything too.

Let Your Family Help You

I know we are now independent college students and some are rejoicing that we can finally be out of the house. If you find yourself constantly annoyed by nagging parents and give them the bare minimum instead of telling them about your day, stop. Take the time to talk to them about the good and bad things that have gone on recently. Although you may not believe it, they can be a big help and encouragement when you need it most. They will organize your life when you barely can anymore.

Good luck to all on finals week. We are going to need it.