How To Stay Organized | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

How To Stay Organized

Even if you're not good at it.

4
How To Stay Organized

In This Article:

It's gotten to that point in the semester where everything seems like it's falling on us college students. We try our best every year and semester to stay on our assignments, but when they feel like they're piling on, we tend to lose control of our organization and spiral into our freakouts. There are a few ways to stay on top of everything though.

Calendars

Pottery Barn

Having a calendar, especially a whiteboard calendar, allows you to stay on top of things and add any last-minute things that are due on that day or even change things around if due dates get pushed back. I find having this helpful to keep big due dates straight and right in front of my face, so I know how close everything is getting. It allows me to also keep general life things straight and in my head. Some like doing this on their phone but it's also good to keep in on something physical so you are constantly seeing these dates.

Planner

allaboutplanners.com.au

Having a planner with you is also very important. This allows you to have something to write down things your professors say in class that you may not have written down already. This allows you to write down every due date the professor sets and it also lets you know the little things coming up during that week that are due.

To-Do Lists

cdn.vox-cdn.com

To-do lists are your friend! They help you stay on top of everything in life and it is so satisfying to cross off each item as they are getting done. I have an entire notebook dedicated to a weekly to-do list. I do it weekly so that I don't feel like I'm getting overwhelmed but I'm also looking at the week ahead. There is nothing too little to add to this list. Need to make a phone call? Put it on the list. Too busy that you need to schedule your showers? Put it on the list. Put which days you need to do everything. I also have a daily list on my phone that allows me to keep track of everything that needs to get done that day. It keeps me on track and less stressed because it allows me to know what absolutely needs to be done.

Color Code Everything!

i.pinimg.com

Keep everything color coded. This helps you know what thing is for which class or just for life. I have colors for everything, even my boyfriend's soccer games, and it's the same colors across the entire to-do list, calendar, and planner. Everything has a specific color and it helps me stay on track. This is one of the easiest things to do while in school, plus it makes everything more colorful!

Now does this make me seem a little OCD? Yes but it's helped me not be so stressed out about all the assignments I have due. It's also so nice to see the physical evidence that I'm getting things done. Now I'm not perfect with my organization but this really helps keeps stress levels down. I still have the normal college mental breakdowns but this limits how many I end up having. Being organized is no easy feat but it truly helps keep things straight.

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

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

565
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

15536
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3193
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments