How to stay organized at college.

Hello everybody,

today I am going to share with you some tips on how to stay organized during your school year.

1. Be motivated.
My advice is to make a list, with real paper and pen – of why you want a clean, organized, and manageable life. Tack it up somewhere where you will see it when you start to feel unmotivated.

2. Keep a planner or a planner app.
During the college year, I use my planner religiously to track my classes, assignments, and social plans.

3. Use only one planner.
Just as important as using a planner is only keeping one. If you have both a paper planner and an app, or multiple planners, the odds are that something will eventually slip between the cracks when you forget to write down your plans in both. Also, having more than one will take up a lot of your time.

4. Keep it with you.
During the school year, I always have my planner on-hand. That way, if I get a new assignment, make plans with friends, or have to schedule a doctor’s appointment, I can write it down immediately before I forget.

5. Stick to your plans.
Have a rule: if you write it down, get it done. That way, your planner is more than a helpful reminder of what you could have accomplished today: it’s an actual guide to what you will be doing.

6. Plan at the beginning of every week or month.
At the beginning of every new week, sit down and write in your activities, classes, and any reminders for the coming days. I don’t have the time to do this all at once at the beginning of my semester, so doing it on a weekly basis works for me.

7. Keep to-do lists.
I keep a to do list every day. Do it in your planner, on your phone, or over email – the point is, it will help you stay on-track.

8. Wake up at the same time every day.
Whether you’re a morning glory or a late riser, pick a time to wake up every day and stick to it. Often I find that when I oversleep, I feel that my morning has been “wasted” and I don’t do much work. Waking up at the same time every day will help you avoid this and get into a set schedule.

9. Make your bed when you get up.
Making your bed will keep your room clean, and will keep you from crawling back in if you’re sleepy.

10. Figure out your most productive time.
Figure out what time of the day you are the most productive. For some people, it’s in the early morning before breakfast; for others, mid-afternoon, or late at night. Find when you get the most work done and try to optimize that time for productivity and work.

11. Plan your outfit ahead of time.
I used to spend forever in the mornings picking my outfit. Now I go to bed with a vague idea of what I’ll wear the next day. It helps me save time in the mornings to know what I want.

12. Clean-desk policy.
 At the end of every night, try to have a clear desk, with just your computer, lamp, or books on it, and no clutter. It will keep your room tidy and make it easier to find what you need in the morning.

13. Spend 5 minutes a day cleaning.
Seriously, you will be amazed at what you can do in five minutes a day. When I’m having a hard time staying motivated to keep organized, these few minutes at a time save me from total chaos.

14. Don’t question and don’t stop yourself while writing.
This is how I get my essays done so quickly – don’t worry too much about the quality of your writing while you’re at work. I find that I can hold myself back endlessly by worrying about a single word or sentence. Instead, let go of your inhibitions and don’t be afraid to write a terrible first draft. You can always edit later.

15. Use a timer.
Work in bursts of time. Some people swear by 25 minutes; I prefer to work for an hour at a time, and then take a longer break. Either way, using a timer will keep you accountable and prevent you from wandering over to Instagram or Pinterest while you should be working.

16. Use the 8/8/8 method for balancing your life.
It’s a way to divide your time to be responsible and still relax. Try to sleep for eight hours a day, spend eight working, and eight hours for the rest of your life – time with friends, eating, etc.

17. Set your own deadlines.
If you have two essays due on the same day, vow to finish one of them on a different date; for example, a week or three days before it’s due. This will mean that you have to get started earlier, but it also means you will not have to scramble to finish all your work at the same time when your actual due dates come around.

18. “If you take it out, put it back” rule.
This is the easiest way to keep a desk clear.

19. Sleep enough.
I can’t emphasize this enough. Sleep is so important! Try to get between seven and nine hours of sleep a day, depending on your age and preferences. It will help you stay alert and happy during the day.

20. Go easy on yourself.
No one is perfect, and it can be incredibly difficult to stay on top of everything in your life. Do your best, but remember if you mess up that it is okay to make mistakes. All that matters is that you are trying.

Till the next time, kisses :*