As college students, we have left what is familiar in pursuit of a new adventure on our own. We have true independence from our families and high school teachers (even if you’ve chosen a school close to home). Now, instead of teachers telling you what to do, it’s your turn to decide how to manage your time and guess what? You’re struggling. You’re tired, mixing up notebooks, forgetting things. That sense of independence you have been seeking all those years is more difficult than you thought.
Even though I have always been labeled the most organized of all of my friends – I am the girl with systems for color-coding and separate binders for each of my classes – I have found myself at a loss. My constant internal dilemma is one of “I can’t find where anything is, I should really buy a folder/ binder/notebook” mixed with “I don’t want to pay for another binder/folder/notebook.”
So what can we, as college students, do to solve this issue? Here are my top seven tips for getting the ball rolling towards being organized for class in a manageable way that leaves plenty of time for embracing the wonderful freedom that comes with being at college.
- Start small: In order to stick with the annoying but necessary act of organization, it’s important to work your way up to the tougher challenges. Get a pencil pouch or just a rubber band to collect your favorite writing utensils rather than scattering them throughout every bag you own. If you start with the most meticulous and overbearing area (like sorting through your entire closet), you can get discouraged and give up before you’ve even started!
 - Have a planner (and maybe a calendar too): We all received those nifty syllabi on Day One telling us how the semester will pan out over the next few months. Having a central location to check at a time when you find yourself in the panic of “oh my gosh, when do I have to finish such-and-such novel by?!” can help avoid cringe-worthy surprises and keep you on top of your game. Checking your planner regularly can help calm your nerves when you see you have to read Joyce later in the week by allowing you to give yourself the window to start your work early. I like having a day planner for jotting down homework for the day, and a calendar above my desk for writing in long-term assignments and non-school activities, such as club meetings and birthdays. [Side note: If you’re better with technology than I ever will be, your phone might be more accessible for reminders. As with most things: there’s an app for that.
- Keep your desk as clear as possible: This is a rule I am incredibly bad at following because of my deep affection for knick knacks. A desk is meant for studying, and you should able to be used as such. Your many picture frames and that growing pile of intro language flashcards have better places to reside than on your prime studying real estate. Leave room for your computer and then some for when for you need to take notes or read an article. It’ll distract you less, and you’ll be done with homework sooner. [Side note: If you can’t focus while sitting in your room and need to go somewhere more public to study, take only what you absolutely need for studying. Anything extra can be used for procrastination before you’ve even begun (see: computer, iPod, free reading book)]
 - Start Coloring: I always support color-coding. It is a quick, easy way to keep track of your folders. Buy a different color of notebook for each class you need it for – you’ll save time since you won’t have to flip through four identical blue binders to figure out which is for Greek Lit and which is for physics when you’re already running late to your 9:10. Different colors means easily distinguishable, more along the lines of orange and purple than black and navy blue.
 - Label, label, label: Knowing which binder or folder is for what class is key to success, both physically and digitally. Having folders on your computer for each class keeps your different assignments from getting mixed up, especially if you save them under similar titles. You won’t accidentally submit a history discussion topic to Moodle for your English class.
- Make Post-its your best friends: They’re useful for more than leaving a funny note on your friend’s door down the hall! If you have a big assignment like a paper or a presentation coming up, Post-its are a magical thing. They don’t clutter up space in a planner that needs room for you to write every possible detail of your homework in. I love using Post-its for non-schoolwork related reminders as well, like phone calls I need to make or applications I need to complete.
 - Find your own method to taming the madness: As many tips as I give you, I am obviously biased in favor of what works best for me. Having your backpack be an abyss for every piece of paper you have been given just may be conducive to the way your mind functions (though I highly doubt it). Mine works more along the lines of everything has a place and therefore no stray papers ever go near my bag without the protection of at least a folder. If you have a system that is A+ in your book, then use it. If not, maybe consulting this will help you try out new methods.
Organization is one of those wonderful parts of life where it truly doesn’t matter what anyone thinks about the way you get it done. It’s about what works best for you, and you alone. Even if you need outside help (from a trusty HerCampus Kenyon source, for example), remember that, in the end, it’s all about you!Â
[Photo Sources: Tumblr, Plannerimage, Dreamstime, Lostgarden]