As college students, we all have those absurdly crazy weeks. You know the ones where everything that could possibly happen does? Last week, I had one of them. I survived, just barely, in large part due to my calendar and other organizational hacks. Since I live by these organizational tips and largely credit them with keeping me sane, I decided to compile them into a list.
1. Create a calendar
Put EVERYTHING in your calendar. All your classes, club meetings, events, everything! I use Google Calendar, but you can use a physical planner or calendar. This helps you keep track of your schedule and where you should be at all times.
2. Make a to-do list
Whether you like writing out a list of your assignments or putting them into an app, making a to-do list is a good way to avoid forgetting to study for your midterm. I am an avid user of the app Todoist, which has a clean and simple format. I particularly like having my to-do list separate from my calendar because the mixture of events and assignments is easily overwhelming. By separating my to-do list and putting it into an “easy to use” app, my assignments and daily tasks become a lot less daunting.
3. Prioritize
You have probably been told to do this a million times, but it really is the key to managing a stressful week. Know your priorities and stick to them.
4. Follow an “if you take it out, put it back” rule
This rule helps you easily avoid messes and relieves the pressure you might otherwise feel if you have a massive amount of clothing or books sprawled around your room. This will help you focus on the other work you have to do. After all, a clean room and a clear mind do go together.
5. At the end of the week (or day) clean your room
While it may seem odd, I actually enjoy cleaning my room and doing my laundry at the end of the week. Not because I enjoy the chores, but because cleaning my room reminds me that the week is over. I always feel like I have a clean slate and am ready to tackle the next week once my surroundings are also clutter-free.
6. Use a timer
The timer on your phone is always easily available. Set aside an amount of time for certain tasks and use a timer to keep yourself accountable.
7. Check all forms of communication every day
I mainly mean email, since that is how many professors, clubs, and the university communicate with you. You never know when an important email is sitting in your inbox waiting for a reply.
Congrats! Now you are on your way to crushing the rest of your winter quarter!
