With the new semester finally upon us, it’s easy to rush right into classes, without taking the time to organize your school supplies. If you’re anything like me, this means cruising through the first couple of weeks of the semester, then seeing this technique come crashing down once the first major assignment is due. So, to combat this, let’s take a minute to set up an organizational system for a successful semester. Here are three different routes you can take that will keep all of your classes (and grades) in check.
Color code it
This is by far the easiest and most ~aesthetically pleasing~ approach to organizing those pesky handouts and notebooks. Get some colorful folders, notebooks, binders, and flashcards, and assign a single solid color to each class. This way, you know exactly which class you are dealing with at a glance, making it even simpler to grab the supplies you need as you head to class.
Visualize it
Some of us have the mental organization of a filing cabinet. Others (such as myself) have more of a dumpster fire going on in their brains. Needless to say, I am not the type of person who can easily recall what I have to do on any given day. Luckily, I can post visual reminders all over my dorm to keep bringing those tasks to the forefront of my mind. This can be done through sticky notes on the walls, desk calendars, to do lists, or notes on a whiteboard. For any gifted artists out there (or others trying their very best), you might consider getting a bullet journal. It’s almost like you’re doing a coloring book, except you’re super aware of all the work you have to do afterwards. Organize electronically
For the tech-savvy, you could save some trees and use your computer, tablet, or phone to organize yourself this semester. One thing I have found incredibly useful is using Google Calendars to manage all my to do lists, and, taking it a step further, blocking out a time during the week that I’m actually going to complete that task. You can use it on both your phone and computer to maximize the likelihood you’ll actually pay attention to this schedule you’ve set in place.
To save on notebooks, you can also start using a note taking app, such as One Note. This app allows you to create notebooks with different sections and pages, which is perfect for those of us who want to go paperless but just can’t seem to organize several Word documents.
Don’t let the new semester creep up on you. Stay ahead of the game and organize your school supplies right out of the gate– your GPA will thank you!