7 Smart College Organizing Tips

Staying organized while at college is essential for every student. Everything related to your classes must have its place and those places must be easily identifiable and sensible to you. There is no “one size fits all” organizing methods for students, but the following seven tips can help you stay on track and minimize the stress.

1. Use a planner. You can pick up a hard copy planner or download an app for your iPhone to help you keep track of your schedule. Write down or plug in your class schedule for this academic semester and include assignment due dates, quizzes and tests, and any other benchmarks you must meet as you progress through the semester.

2. Maintain a study schedule. You may find yourself studying for several hours each night or you may decide to cram for your tests and burn the midnight oil. The first choice is the most sensible one and can lead to higher grades. It will also help you limit stress and enable you to enjoy your free time without worry, a sensible time management strategy you’ll soon embrace.

3. Take advantage of your down time. Plan your week so that you can get some things done, like your laundry, when everyone else is busy. If your laundry area has fewer users at certain times of the day, plan on getting your personal stuff done at that time. While your clothes are being cleaned, you can catch up on your reading, complete an assignment or surf the ‘net.

4. Organize your portfolio. You’ll be carrying most of your books, papers and related documents in your personal portfolio such as a backpack. Keep an ample supply of pens and papers on hand, note paper and binders. You may find it easiest to keep class notes in color-coded binders or files, or in one larger tabbed binder with different color tabs.

5. Make use of electronic minders. Even the most basic cell phone can be used to remind you when a paper is due or when you should wake up in the morning. Smartphones can be programmed to send alerts to you including weather and security alerts for your campus.

6. Just do it. When an assignment is given or other task offered, get started on it right away. Putting it off will only cause you to rush through your assignment when it is due, resulting in a lower grade. Avoid crunch time burn out by giving yourself ample time to start, revise and submit your projects.

7. Enjoy yourself. You’ll soon develop a college schedule that is right for you. Even with thorough planning you may forget one important thing: to enjoy yourself. Schedules are meant to keep your focused, not chained. Use your schedule to give yourself a chance to take in a sporting contest, to hang with your friends or to go home for a long weekend.

Work Schedules

The organization methods your learn while in college will help you immensely later in life, especially as you take on a career. Test various schedules that work for you and make changes to allow you to work at peak efficiency and maximize the quality of your personal time.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•