College can be hard, and staying on top of all the things you need to do can be even harder. The discipline to stay organized is an acquired skill, not something many are born with. So here are some tips to help you get in the study mood:
Get yourself a planner
It can be a cheap one from the Wal-Mart closest to you, a designer one with a million tabs or an app on your phone. Either way you need to get something to write everything you need to do in. I personally prefer a planner app. That way I can set reminders in my phone for assignments or events and keep everything I’ve done and have to do in the palm of my hand.
Keep all your things in easy-to-find places
This means notebooks; folders and binders are your friend. When you keep all your notes and papers neat in a binder you don’t have to worry about losing anything or it getting squashed at the bottom of your bag. Also you can label everything so you never will misplace a paper.
Find your ideal study place and time
Finding both a time of day where your focus is at its peak and a suitable place to work is the perfect way to get a lot of work done. It can be as simple as knowing if you’re a morning or a night person. I’m a morning person, so I like to do most my work before noon. It’s also good to know whether you work better in loud places, with music or in silence. That way you can pick your study place based on things that may help you. It’s a good idea to always use the same study space, that way when you’re there you will feel compelled to work.
Make time to clean
This may sound funny, but having all your belongings neat and in place is the best way to get in the study mood. If you study in your room this is a no-brainer: You won’t be able to focus if you’re surrounded by mess. If you study in a library or other study area, it’s still a good idea to keep your room clean, but you should also make sure your backpack is orderly. That way when you get to your study space you can find things easily and get right to work.
Know yourself
A little bit of soul searching could help you be able to study and work more efficiently. You will be able to know what you want and where your priorities lie. It can also help you know what environment will be best for you to thrive in. I can give you plenty of tips and hacks but only you are going to know what’s going to work. So go out there and get your study on!