Congratulations! Most of us have made it through at least our first week of school (I know SJC has). You got through ‘syllabus week’ and now what? A lot of people are thinking ‘stress, assignments, papers, and midterms’. If you wait until last minute, you will be stressed out to the max! (Don’t worry, I have tissues in my car if you need!) I use to be one of those students to put everything off until the last minute, and this semester I decided I needed to change and be on top of my assignments (easier said than done, I know). So, I compiled this list to help myself and others to stay focused and organized this semester!
1. Use a planner!
In high school, I would see a lot of people not using their planners. I couldn’t function without mine, even back in high school. I love my Lily Pulitzer planner, but it happened to be too small for my needs and I wanted a planner that will last me through the spring semester. Although my planner is about a standard spiral notebook size (which seems big for some people), the calendars at the beginning of the month have big enough boxes to write all of my events and due dates in.
2. Color Code.
Whether its designating a color for one class with books and folders or writing in colored ink for your planner, color coding will help you to easily find what you need just by recognizing the color without even reading what it actually says. Having everything or multiple subjects in one color can get confusing and lead to grabbing a wrong notebook when you’re in a rush!
3. Snacks.
Keep snacks in your car at all times! (preferably nothing too messy, that won’t change flavor due to weather and kept in a ziplock). Snacks such as nuts, raisons, small coated candy, or granola bars will help you in those dire times when you feel as if you’re going to pass out due to hunger. Also, it will keep you from buying unhealthy fast food! (Plus, it might keep you more full as well depending on what you’re eating!)
4. Post-its.
Post-its are my best friend (well, one of them at least). Whether I need to keep a spot in a book I’m reading (textbook or leisure), or make a quick note for myself personally, a Post-it will pop out at me -- literally -- rather than keeping a note on my phone. It can get tough to remember to look at my notes that I make on my phone, so having my reminder post-it in my planner (where I look multiple times a day) will help me remember much more efficiently than a note in my phone.
5. Backpack (or tote).
Keep one bag with all of your school stuff in there. I have my tote bag in which I keep my books, pens, chargers, post-its, planner, colored pens and snacks. When I have to come to class, I only take out a book and leave it at home or in my car if I don’t need it for that particular class, then when I get home, I plop it right back inside so I know where all of my notes are! Having a designated space for my books keeps them together so I’m not scrambling 10 minutes before my class starts to look for my notebooks! (If you use a laptop or tablet to take notes, this task becomes much easier, but that’s not everyone’s preference).
6. Get ready the night before!
Making sure your books, outfit, accessories, homework, and projects are all done and together the night before makes mornings run SO much smoother. This semester, I’m student teaching and having my lunch packed, my outfit ready and my bag all set to grab and go makes my mornings less stressful by a million times! (exaggerated, I know, but the feeling and not being stressed is priceless!) For someone who LOVES to sleep until the last minute and hit snooze four times before actually getting out of bed, getting my belongings together the night before makes this possible and I don’t forget anything when I leave the house in the morning, rushed or not.
7. Start assignments ASAP!
I know this seems like a no-brainer, but it’s hard to do. I’m a procrastinator with so much motivation. I like to take on more than I one person should be able to handle and I always want to make sure everything I do is to the best of my ability. I have been able to get very good grades by doing a paper the night before, but in all honesty, it isn’t worth the exhaustion that comes after and the stress I feel at 1 a.m. for a paper that’s due at 8 a.m. If you know you need to research, set time aside to do your research, another day to read and annotate articles, a third to start writing and so forth. You will thank yourself in the long run!
All of these organizational skills help to decrease stress. Trust me, I know it’s much harder in practice than theory, but you’re not alone! There are so many students going through the same courses as yourself, and even harder ones! You can do it! Your school and professors have so many resources (including themselves) for you to use to your full advantage to succeed. No one wants you to fail or feel like you are failing. As long as you work hard, stay consistent, keep your motivation and stay organized, you will breeze through your semester! (Plus, decreasing stress will help you stay healthy! Score!) Good luck in your endeavors, my fellow students!
