Getting into the thick of the semester can be stressful, and it is especially hard when you have a ton of deadlines and requirements floating around in your head. There are many things that a college student has to juggle, whether it be classes, work, clubs or extracurricular activities, not to mention having a social life and getting sleep. When there are so many things going on that demand your attention, it can help to write everything down in a planner. Seeing everything on your to-do list in front of your face sounds like it would be daunting, but I’ve found that it actually helps my mental load.
Keep track of classes and homework.
The main reason I have a planner is to keep track of my classes and homework. Of course there are assignments, but there are also smaller demands such as doing research for a group project, looking through certain class materials to prepare for a big discussion, or scheduling a time to meet with a professor to go over revisions for a paper. I find that putting all of this information on a page helps me stay organized and on track to complete assignments and participate in class. It is also helpful to not just write down due dates, but also dates when I should be done brainstorming or have a draft ready. This helps me stay afloat when classes get hectic and there’s a chance I could miss something.
Keep work/extracurriculars organized.
Planners are great to keep classes and deadlines organized, but it also helps for your greater schedule. You can write down club meetings or a scheduled shift at work to make sure you remember that your time will be taken up. I often have my meetings and shifts memorized, but putting it in the same place as my homework can help with time management. If I have a club meeting all evening, I might see a gap in my schedule and do all of my homework then, instead of rushing to get it done after my meeting. It can also be helpful to jot down anything else you need to remember, like bill payments or a meeting with your advisor. Seeing everything on the page helps you figure out your schedule, what needs to be done, and when it could get done.
Color coding is awesome.
A random tip that I have found to be especially helpful is color coding everything you write down. If you aren’t a Type A person like me, this might seem silly or arbitrary, but it really does help. I only started color coding my planner this year, but I’ve already found that it makes seeing what I have to do much easier. For me, each class, my work schedule, and my club meetings are different colors. This helps me see exactly what I have going on and what groups or organizations need my attention at that time. I often worry that I’m missing or forgetting something, but having everything in its own color allows me to easily see that I already wrote down what I have to do. Color coding is an easy way to map out what class or group needs your attention and what doesn’t.
Checking things off a list is fun!
Something else especially great about planners is not only that you can write things down, but you can also check things off! Writing your to-do list as a checklist allows you to prioritize what you need to do, and see your progress as you get things done. It gives me genuine happiness to check something off my list, because I can visually see myself being productive (and getting closer to the end of the list). Writing your to-do’s as a checklist makes the work load seem easier, because you see what you have to do and what you have accomplished. Sometimes, I even write down something I already did just to check it off and feel good.
Personalize your planner to fit you.
Finally, a planner is wonderful because you can personalize it to fit what you want and how you work. I color code my obligations and commitments, but you could write them down with different utensils (use a pen for one class, a marker for work, etc.). I use a checklist, you could use a gold-star system. You could decorate your planner with stickers to make it more fun for you. You could even fill your planner with drawings and doodles to give it personality. There are really no rules when it comes to a planner, so you can make it fit you and your lifestyle.
Not everyone loves to have a planner, but I have personally found that it makes organizing my life and managing my time much easier. I love being able to have everything I need to do in one place, so I don’t forget anything (or worry about forgetting anything). Planners can be put together and personalized to do what you need it to do, and help in whatever way you need. If you’ve been thinking about getting one, or just wondering how to keep yourself more organized, I say: Just get a planner!