Summer is the beautiful time between semesters when all cares are thrown out the window the second you answer your last final exam question. But this is dangerous because when it's time to get back into the swing of school, you can't seem to remember how you kept you're life together just a few months ago. With classes, organizations, volunteering, jobs, etc, it's easy to stress out quickly. But here's a few ways to help you not run away before classes even start.

1. Buy a planner and use it

My planner goes everywhere with me. Going away for the weekend? It's in my bag. Sounds a little weird but if I receive an email regarding a change in test date or something along those lines, I have my planner to take note of it. The calendars are perfect for keeping track of your work schedule, club meetings, classes,and work out schedule. Some have writing sections for each day of the month. This is where I write down my homework for class, when papers are due, when I have tests, and reminders. My favorite planner is the Lilly Pulitzer Agendas.

2. Color Coordinate

Color coordinating helps differentiate all those words on your calendar from one another. Make a handy dandy legend to remember what each color represents. You can keep track of appointments with one color and your work shifts with another color. Another thing I like to color coordinate is my folders and notebooks. The folder and notebook for one subject match in color. This helps to keep things organized and helps you grab the right materials for the right class.

3. Invest in a Dry Erase Wall Calendar

Yes, you may already have a planner with a calendar already in it. But I find that having a dry erase wall calendar makes it easier to see everything in a bigger picture. If I'm at my desk and planning to attend a concert, I can quickly glance at my wall calendar and see if I'm available on the date I want to attend the concert. It's easy to access and quickly glance at so you don't have to reach into your bag or desk for your planner. You can also decorate it according to the season or holiday and write reminders off to the side. This is yet again another great place to color coordinate!

4. Plan out Your Day by the Hour

This may sound ridiculous and tedious but it works. When my roommate told me to plan out my day, I thought she was nuts but it changed my productivity for the better. It helps to keep your mind on the thing you're doing and not on something else. If its gym time, it's okay not to think about the paper you scheduled to write after said gym time. Always schedule in a nap if you feel you need one and don't be feel bad if you didn't finish you're task in the amount of time you gave yourself. Sometimes the schedule will change throughout the day and some tasks will be put off until tomorrow. And thats okay. It helps you to use your time wisely and to not procrastinate.