The semester may have just started, but for many college students, it’s already shaping up to be as disorganized and chaotic as ever. And I don’t blame them! With heaping course loads, crazy extracurricular schedules, active social lives, and so much more, we’re all busy and organization may not be everyone’s first priority.
If your dorm/backpack/computer desktop/whatever has already descended into disarray, fear not—I have some nifty organization tips to help get your college life back on track.
1. Google Calendar is your best friend
My best tip is to note all your classes, commitments, and assignments in Google Calendar at the beginning of the semester. If you haven’t done this yet, get on it! It’ll take a few hours and a lot of staring at different syllabi, but once everything is written down in one place, life will be so much easier. I like to fill in one week of classes and extracurriculars then set each event to repeat for the rest of the semester. You can also set all your homework assignments and exams as “all-day” events so they appear at the top of your calendar each day.
If Google Calendar isn’t your thing, get a physical planner or look into other websites or apps that function similarly. Whatever works for you is best!
2. Clean as you go
Switching gears to your dorm or apartment, this tip is a lifesaver. As soon as you’re done making a mess, clean it up. Put away your clothes right after you change, make your bed right after you get up, and clear off your desk right after using it. I know this is easier said than done, but I promise that spending five minutes tidying up every once in a while is way better than devoting hours to deep-cleaning a disastrous dorm (speaking from experience).
3. Keep your notes together
Whether you take notes online or on paper, it’s so important to keep them organized. If you take notes on paper like me, I suggest having a separate notebook for each class. If you’re an online notetaker, try creating separate folders on your computer so that each course’s notes are easily accessible. Always write the date and subject of the lecture on each sheet of notes so you can keep track of what you learned and when!
4. The clutter has got to go
And by clutter, I mean everything. Loose papers you don’t need, coupons you’ll never use, dried-out pens, and so on. Don’t forget about the mental clutter: letting go of others’ negativity, your own doubts, and distractions that don’t bring you joy will also help you be more organized, focused, and content than ever before.
Happy organizing!