New quarter = fresh start, right? Everyone plans to get more organized at the beginning of each quarter, but somehow it rarely happens. Here are tips to help you get organized and actually stay organized!
1. Clean Out Your Backpack
This is the first thing you should do. Even if you don’t want to admit it. I’m sure the bottom of your backpack is littered with old crumpled papers, gum wrappers, snack crumbs and your favorite pen you were looking for last quarter. It’s time to start fresh! Recycle old papers and throw away any trash. Organize your pens, pencils and any other utensils or tools you may use throughout the quarter.
2. Clean Out Your E-mail
My roommate admitted to me the other day that she had over 9,000 unread e-mails. I was in shock. Sure, most of them are junk, but the important ones can very easily get lost in a black hole of an e-mail account. Either create two separate e-mail addresses (one for junk mail, website logins, one for work, school and other important e-mails), or make sure you take the time to sort through incoming mail and delete read/unimportant messages. Gmail is great for creating different folders to file away your e-mails. Also, there is a sneaky little “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of the e-mail messages you wish you didn’t get. Use it! You’ll not only feel more organized, but I can guarantee you won’t lose any significant messages in a wasteland of junk mail again.
3. Clean Up Your Desk
If you do your homework and studying at a desk, make sure it is a clean space. Stacks of papers, old notebooks and other junk are just clutter on your desk and they can clutter your mind! Clean off the surface, organize your drawers, add decorations and make it a space that you actually want to sit down at and focus!
4. Use A Planner
As obvious as this is, planners can make all the difference. As soon as you get your syllabi you should plot all the important dates and assignments for the whole quarter. By checking up on this regularly and adding anything new, you can easily track when things are due. Planners really help with deciding how to manage your time. You can see how much (or little) work that you have ahead of you and you can plan accordingly. Color code for different classes—make it fun and useful!
5. Find A Go-To Study Spot
If you don’t have a personal desk at home, find a study spot where you feel comfortable and inspired. A favorite place for students to study is on the sky bridge in Academic West. The huge windows looking out onto South Campus make it a fun place to people watch, but it doesn’t distract you from getting work done. It stays relatively quiet there, too. Also, there are tons of places in the library great for studying. Another favoirte study spot of students is the “Harry Potter Room” on the top floor of Wilson Library. Figure out if you need a quiet space or if you don’t mind a little background noise. Get out there and explore!
6. Buy Folders and Notebooks for Each Class
When you are enrolled in multiple classes, things can get pretty overwhelming. Buy separate notebooks for each class and folders to store important papers. If you like keeping everything in the same place, get a 3-subject notebook. You can take notes for each class there, and they usually have pocket dividers where you can store papers.
7. Create Computer Folders
If you are doing a lot of writing or reading online, it’s helpful to create separate virtual folders for your work. This way you can save important assignments, instructions, or readings and be able to access them all in one place for each class you are enrolled in.
8. Get A Whiteboard Calendar
A visual representation of the month ahead of you can be the most helpful way to stay on top of things. Plotting out important due dates, meetings, work shifts and even your class schedule allows you to see what’s coming next and be prepared for it! You can even color code it by class.
9. To-Do Lists
As easy as it sounds, making to-do lists helps you figure out what you want to accomplish each day. What goals do you have for the day? For the week? You can write a list in your planner, or stick it on your fridge, or post it on your mirror. Whatever works for you. And you’ve got to admit, checking off a task can be pretty rewarding!