2016 has finally ended and thankfully, we've begun the new year. With the new year, means going back to school or work after maybe having a long break. Many people decide to come up with new years resolutions and may decide to start them when school or work starts back. It's never too early to make a change though. One new years resolution that many people usually try to stick to is being more organized. It can be hard to keep up with things, and be organized just makes your life so much easier. Plus,there's just something about checking off something on a to-do list that's so satisfying. There are many different strategies for note-taking and planning, so there's something out there for everyone. Some of my favorite ways to stay organized are by using a planner, using a bullet journal, and by taking cornell notes for school.

One of the most basic and popular ways to stay organized is by using a planner. Planners are great because they already have everything set up for you, including a monthly calendar, weekly spreads, and a section for notes. These are always helpful because you can keep track of what you need to do and when. There are many different types of planners out there and sometimes picking up a new planner to start the year off fresh can be all the motivation you may need to start using it.

Another method of planning that I've noticed has become more popular lately is the bullet journals. Bullet Journals are unique because you can customize them and make them exactly how you want them. This is one of my favorite methods of planning because I'm able to put whatever I want in my journal. You start with a blank journal, and then you can choose to draw out or print spreads for calendars, weeks, expenses, social media stats, gratitude pages, etc. Planners can sometimes be too restricting, but bullet journals really allow your creativity to flow and for you to make them your own. If you want to know more about bullet journals, there are plenty of YouTube videos and you can also learn more here.

The last way that I like to stay organized is for taking notes for school, and it's by using cornell notes. I can remember being forced to do them in high school, and everyone including myself hated them with a passion. Now that I've gotten older, I've somewhat learned to appreciate them more and realized that they actually are helpful. Granted, everyone takes notes in their own way, but this method may be helpful for some. For this, you start with a blank page and then draw a "T" shape down it. On the right side, you write down notes, key points, and definitions. On the left, you write questions to ask yourself about your notes and any key terms that you write definitions for. Once you're done, you write a brief summary of your notes at the bottom of the page. I especially like this method because you can fold the page in half and quiz yourself.

It's never too late to decide to be more organized. For many, 2016 wasn't the best. Organizing your life is a step towards making 2017 a successful year. Using planners, bullet journals, and cornell notes are some of the many ways that you can put things in order. There's definitely something out there for everyone, and staying organized can really relieve a lot of stress and worries.