Navigating college life involves juggling numerous responsibilities, from managing a load of 4 or 5 classes to securing a job or internship, all while simply trying to enjoy life. The attention needed to each of these tasks can become overwhelming if days and plans are not well organized.
Creating a well-structured schedule for the week has proven to be both encouraging and refreshing for me. I can plan out how much homework I will get done, my class schedule, free time, and whatever else. I get more things done when I plan things out instead of continually saying, “I’ll do it later”.
With this being said, I wanted to help you get organized! Below is a list of organizational tips.
Planning Out Your Day
I put this tip first because this is the most important one. You know what time your classes are and you know how much free time you have. Write out an hourly schedule. Just because your schedule is hourly does not mean that it is packed. You can also schedule breaks because they are needed. Start with scheduling your priorities then work around them. The first thing I always write in my schedule is having bible study soon after I wake up and then my class schedule. Then, I fill in the rest of the hours of the day with the gym, getting homework done in advance, and hanging with friends. Writing out my schedule for the week lets me get an idea of how much I can get done.
Consider What Time of Day You Thrive In
For me, I can wake up and start my day at 5am IF I have my day planned out. I work best in the morning because I feel like it is just me and the sun waking up while my roommates are asleep. My mind tends to be more clear in the morning compared to at night when I may have racing thoughts of everything that happened that day. However, some people are most alert at night and get a burst of energy. Use whatever time of day you need to get work done.
Make Time for Things That Clear Your Mind and Take Breaks
This may seem like it has nothing to do with your organization but I think it may play one of the biggest roles. If you are constantly overwhelming yourself and overloading your brain, realistically you are not going to care about being organized and push things off until the last minute. When you simply take a break or include activities into your day that you enjoy, it can ease the stress of school and make you more efficient and organized day to day.
Use Resources and/or Apps to Help You Stay Organized
I use various apps and resources to help me stay organized throughout the day. My most used apps are Notion to plan out my hourly, daily, weekly, to monthly schedule. Another app that I frequently use is the Apple reminders app. It helps me stay on top of little tasks that I may forget to do.
Individualize Your Items/ Organize in the Small Ways
Make a place for everything. Whether that means setting aside a part of your notebook to a certain school subject, keeping your pencils in a certain pocket of your bookbag, or studying a specific subject on a designated day of the week. No matter what it is, organize even in small ways. When you can organize in the small ways, it makes organizing in the big ways much easier. Usually, it is the little things that make us disorganized. “I can not find this. I can not find that. I don’t know where my class notes are. They could be anywhere.” Be organized in the small ways to prepare you to organize in the larger ways.
Create a TO-DO List
Having a TO-DO list takes the clutter out of your brain. You can write it down and forget about it until you need to look at it later. Simply write it down and check it off when you get to it.
By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your organizational skills, alleviate stress, and pave the way for a more successful and fulfilling college experience. Remember, the journey may be challenging, but with effective organization, you’re better equipped to navigate the complexities of college life.
