With summer inevitably ending, it’s time to rethink priorities. Most of us are either getting into the swing of things with school, or going to work after a summer of travel, fun, and relaxation. The truth is, staying organized is never as easy as it looks, despite what some of your friends' lifestyles would lead you to believe. From time to time, even to-do lists can get messy and overwhelming. If you feel it start to happen this year, use these tips to help you regroup, focus, and buckle down on your studies.
1. Always plan ahead
In my (and most people's) experience, leaving responsibilities until the last minute leads to unnecessary stress, anxiety, and a rushed morning. The simplest things, like picking out the outfit you want to wear the next day, can save you so much extra time. Not only do you get to sleep in for a bit longer, but you also don't have to try on 20 outfits before you can walk out of the door. Get in the habit of not only planning out your days, but also what you need to get done within the next couple of weeks.
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2. Organize your supplies
Highlighters are an extremely beneficial tool for staying neat and organized. If you're not a fan of all the bright colors, another good method is to alternate between different pen colors. Personally, I choose to type out all my notes and organize it with headlines and bullet points. Italicizing, bolding, and underlining key points in your notes is also a great method of staying organized. Color coordinating textbooks and notebooks is a good way of ensuring that you won't grab the wrong notebook before classes, and always make sure to bring a pen.
3. Prioritize
Your social life, academics, and job all require a part your attention. Allocating time to each of your commitments helps you stay organized. Your classes occur at the same time each week, so they're already set in stone. If you have a part-time job, jot down your work hours into your weekly schedule. The remaining free time should be divided between studying and socializing. Estimate how much time you need to finish your assignments and studies, and then go out with friends. Procrastinating your school work will negatively impact your work ethic.
4. Set goals
Setting goals keeps your priorities straight and helps organize your actions. If organization is a struggle for you, your most important goal should be getting yourself in order. Academic goals also help with organization. You may aim to be on the dean's list or getting at least a B in every class. If a study schedule is your goal, you should review your commitments, write down everything in your calendar, allocating study time to each class, and to reflect on how you spend your time each week.
5. Take care of yourself
Although an all-nighter once in a while is sort of unavoidable (especially in college), try to get a decent amount of hours of sleep each night. Aim to go to the gym or work out at least four times a week. Exercising can help with the stress of school and anxiety.
