Just like that, it’s the beginning of a new school year! I know you’re probably saying that this will be the year you get your shit together and get organized. But– as we all know, it’s oftentimes not as easy as it sounds. Sure, we may be organized for the first couple weeks of school, but when things start piling up, it becomes another story. So follow these simple steps to make sure this school year, you stick to your plan to stay organized!
1. Keep a To-Do List
It sounds like an easy and pointless task, but for me, it works wonders. I know thinking of all the stuff I have to get done in a certain week can be overwhelming, but I find that just writing (or typing) out my tasks makes a huge difference in my stress level. Plus, it’s super rewarding when I get to physically cross out a task that I’ve completed. Invest in a Passion Planner, a complex planner founded by Bruin alum Angelia Trinidad! Read more about Passion Planner and Angelia here.
2. Prioritize!
Of course making a to-do list is important, but it will serve no real purpose if you don’t prioritize your tasks. Set up a weekly schedule and be sure to get the most important things out of the way in the beginning of the week when you have enough energy. Save the easier tasks for later in the week, or even the weekend.
3. Keep Tidy
I know you’re probably wondering how this has anything to do with staying organized for school– but trust me, it does. When you have a clean room and workspace, you have a clean mind. A clean mind allows you to focus on what’s important, rather than focus on the mess you left on your desk last night.
4. Plan Ahead
Ok so it’s week one, and you just received all of your syllabi. Now what? The first thing I do when I get the syllabus in a class is mark my calendar with important dates, such as test dates and paper due dates. Doing this allows me to mentally plan ahead and figure out what weekends I will have to have fun and what weekends I’ll have to stay home and hit the books.
5. Take a Break!
Sometimes the most important way to stay organized is to not do anything at all. Taking little breaks between tasks is essential. If you’re feeling up to it, go get brunch with some friends. If you’d rather take a little time for yourself, turn on some Netflix and throw on a facial. When you’re feeling counterproductive, take time to recharge!