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Getting and Staying Organized: 20 Helpful Tips for Your Busy College Student
By Kelly Hutcheson, Counseling and Life Development Intern
As many of you know, college can be a very
rewarding yet also a very stressful experience for a student. Between
meeting the demands of classes, studying for exams, and in many cases
working a full- or part-time job to help pay for tuition, college students
must also find time to socialize and to take part in the unique opportunities
that the college environment can provide. Given the increasingly hectic
schedules that many college students today are facing, encouraging your
student to get and to stay organized becomes especially important not only
to his or her academic success, but also to his or her physical and emotional
well-being. Organizational expert Maria Gracia offers the following tips for
students to become more organized:
- GOALS. Set realistic goals at the beginning of the
school year, and break those large goals into mini-goals. Write these goals down
on index cards and keep them in a highly visible place where you can see them
every day. Writing down your goals makes them more concrete, and motivates you
to keep working towards them.
- DON’T RUSH. Wake up early enough
for school to arrive well ahead of time. If you need 30 minutes to get up, shower
and dress, pad that time by waking up at least 45 minutes prior to your departure.
To ensure you don’t turn off your alarm clock and go back to sleep, place your
clock at the far end of your room. This way, you actually have to get out of bed
to turn it off, and you’re most likely to stay up.
- YOUR WARDROBE. Before you go to
bed each night, choose, iron and lay out your clothes for the next day. This
way, you’ll be all set to dress and go in the morning.
- AVOID CLUTTER. At the beginning
of the school year, you have no clutter. Be careful not to build clutter as the
year progresses. Create separate folders for school announcements, tests that
have been graded, papers you must give to your parents and so on. As papers
become outdated, such as an event that has passed, toss them immediately.
- MAKE TO DO LISTS. Always spend a
minimum of 15 minutes per day, preparing your To Do list for tomorrow. In doing
so, you will know exactly what tasks you have to accomplish the next day.
- EFFECTIVE STUDY AREA. Designate a quiet,
well-lit area for studying. Don’t study in front of the television, or in an area of
your home where you’re bound to be distracted. Hang a Do Not Disturb sign on your
door. If you can’t find a quiet spot at home, go to the library. In addition, you
should study while sitting at a table or desk. Avoid studying in a very comfortable
chair or a bed, which may cause you to feel drowsy.
- GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP. Get a good
night’s rest. This will ensure you are alert and ready to learn the following day.
- AN APPLE A DAY. Eat three healthy meals
each day, along with fruit for snacks. Don’t overload on sweets, which cause many
people to feel tired.
- AVOID OVERLOAD. While you may sign
up for extra school activities, such as basketball or cheerleading, don’t take on
too much. First determine how much study time you need. Then, choose one or two
recreational activities that you enjoy.
- USE A STUDENT PLANNER. Use a good
student planner or organizer. The ones that have pocket folders, dividers and
planning calendars are ideal.
- USE ONE CALENDAR. Use one calendar
to plan all of your school and personal activities, rather than two or more. When
you use more than one, you run the risk of scheduling conflicts and missed
appointments. This is very important. Heed the old proverb, A man who wears two
watches, never knows the correct time.
- COLOR-CODE. You may consider
color-coding similar activities on your calendar. For example, highlight all
upcoming tests in yellow, study time in green and recreational activities in
pink.
- WRITE IT DOWN. When you learn of an
upcoming test, event, or anything you must prepare for or attend, immediately jot
it in your planner. Don’t wait for later, or you may forget about it.
- BREAK UP YOUR STUDY TIME. Determine
how many study hours you need, and schedule study time in your planner. For example,
if you need six hours of time to study for a test, you may break that time up into
six sessions, of one hour each. Choose the six days, and make a Study Time notation
in your calendar.
- SCHEDULE CONSISTENT STUDY TIMES. Set
aside time every day for study, and make it consistent. For example, set your study
time for each afternoon from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Whatever you do, avoid last minute
studying and cramming.
- BREAK IT UP. Break up big tasks,
into smaller, bite-sized jobs. For instance, if you have to study three chapters
in your history book, study one chapter at a time each day. If you have to work
on a project, break it down into three or four stages.
- EAT YOUR BROCCOLI FIRST. Imagine
eating your broccoli before your dessert. What would be left for you to look
forward to? Just the same, do your homework for your most difficult subjects first.
Then, everything else will be a breeze, and therefore, more enjoyable.
- GET ASSISTANCE. If you don’t understand
a lesson, immediately ask for help. Don’t let it get to the point that you’re
totally confused. A sibling, friend, parent or teacher can be a lifesaver.
- WHOOPS! If you find yourself getting
off track, simply take a deep breath and get back on track. It is better to get
slightly off the path, rather than giving up.
- REWARD YOURSELF. Designate enticing
rewards for each goal you set, such as a night at the movies, or a quiet, relaxing
walk in the park. As you achieve each of your goals, reap your rewards. This will
keep you motivated throughout the year.
Organizational Resources:
Get Organized Now! http://www.getorganizednow.com
FREE Get Organized Now! Idea-Pak and E-zine, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your
office and your life, at the Get Organized Now!
Webster Counseling and Life Development -
http://www.webster.edu/studlife/counsel/index.htm
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