One of the most important things we learn in or before college is how to be organized, especially when it seems we have a million things to do. If this lesson is ignored, we can quickly become overwhelmed and start neglecting responsibilities. Below are 4 tips to help you get, and stay, organized in order to have a successful semester.
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Get an agenda or planner: We have all heard this piece of advice a million times. However, it is probably the most important piece of advice anyone could give you to help you stay organized. Writing everything down in my agenda ensures that I do not forget anything. In addition, it allows me to write reminders weeks or months in advance, removing the pressure of trying to remember events or due dates that are farther away.
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Sticky notes are your best friend: I have relied on sticky notes for as long as I can remember. They are a great way to ensure that crucial information is not forgotten because they are bright and eye-catching. I often stick quick reminders on my computer or desk where I will see them all day, everyday.
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An online calendar is a lifesaver: I use Google calendar to set reminders about meetings and events regularly. It can be very helpful when, for example, I forget to check my agenda after class but I have a  meeting in half an hour. The reminders that pop up on my phone ensure that important events, such as meetings, are never forgotten. In addition, these calendars can be helpful if you have work that is due by a certain time. We can get wrapped up in other work and forget we have an assignment that must be turned in at 11pm sharp, but an online calendar and the reminders that can be set up along with them are a great way to make sure we get our work in on time
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Write everything down: I heard this tip the other day from a speaker in one of my classes. She mentioned that we always think we will remember everything, but we don’t. This is when due dates start to sneak up on us and assignments go unfinished, so just write it down. I suggest writing quick, short reminders of everything you need to do throughout the day, then going through and writing a more detailed list of tasks and their specific requirements when you actually sit down to do homework. This small act will get you on your way to an organized semester.
It is not too late to improve your organizational skills! I hope these 4 tips are helpful as you get organized and stay organized this semester. Getting organized can really help you narrow down the millions of things you need to do making them more doable and less overwhelming.