Hey, you, the one staring in shock at the due date of the paper that you JUST remembered you need to write, while wondering, “Don’t I have something else due at midnight tonight?” You need help. Don’t worry, though. I got’chu. I have tried and true tips about how to be on top of things. So get ready, because I’m about to teach you a thing or two about remembering that “something else” that you definitely DO have due at midnight.
Step #1: Buy a planner.
Cute planners are everywhere. Mine is from maydesigns.com and completely personalized for me. Cute is important, because a cute planner will catch your eye from the bottom of your book bag (unlike the lost sticky note where you wrote the due date for “that paper”). So, pick your planner, and then get acquainted with your new BFF by following step two…
Photo credit to maydesigns.com.
Step #2: Use the planner.
Your cute agenda won’t magically make you more organized: You’ve gotta use it. Look at your class schedule, assign each course a color, and make sure to also assign colors to special events and other obligations, like your work schedule and any appointments. Use whatever type of writing utensil you prefer to do this–I use the Papermate brand felt-tip pens because they come in such a wide variety of colors. The second part of this step is to access and print the syllabi for each of your classes and fill in important dates for each class using its assigned color. Do this using your neatest handwriting so that you can actually read it later. Fill in dates from your university’s calendar, like finals week and breaks, and don’t forget birthdays/anniversaries back at home.
Step #3: Clean your room!
You thought you escaped your nagging mother when you moved out…but she was right: Clean your room. Deep clean it one good time, and then your life will be so much easier (and smell much better) since you can do little things each day to keep that bedroom lookin’ fancy. Don’t let dirty clothes pile up, and maybe pick up a dust rag occasionally? Keep your desk, or wherever you do your schoolwork, completely clutter-free. Before I became so organized, I would find myself sitting at my desk filing my nails or plucking my eyebrows instead of doing my homework because my eyes had wandered to the nail file or set of tweezers sitting out on my desk. While cuticle care is important, your desk is for schoolwork, so keep everything else tucked away. A clean personal space is essential, not only for school-related things, but also for keeping your head uncluttered and running smoothly.
Step #4: Schedule time to do nothing.
This tip doesn’t sound anything like the other three, does it? It’s still important! Staying on top of your schoolwork feels pretty sweet, and if you do that, you’ll probably end up with a little free time…which is even sweeter. If you find yourself finished with homework early one night, it’s okay to curl up in bed and re-watch your favorite Gossip Girl episodes, take a hot bath, get your nails done, lay in bed and think about how awesome you are, spend some time with Ben & Jerry…anything you want. Her Campus doesn’t judge. Making time to do absolutely nothing is essential for keeping yourself sane and cool-headed, even when your planner (your BFF, right?) is totally full.