Students who lack strong organizational skills tend to be less successful in class than their classmates with a well-organized routine. Unluckily, organizational skills are among the ones that most undergrads tend to lack. What is more, the organization is the skill that all employers look for in a potential candidate.
With so many extracurricular activities, classes, and social events on the plate – not to mention some self-care routine – getting organized and productive in college can seem quite daunting. However, the great news is that you can take some simple steps that will help you make your routine less hectic and boost your productivity.
In this guide, we will get through the process of getting yourself organized as a college student. As a result, you will find out how to stay organized throughout the whole semester.
Use a Planner
You don’t have one? Buy a planner!
Adding this simple element to your shopping list is a must if you want to get more organized. Whether you choose to use a paper-based or digital planner, it will help you keep track of all the tasks that you have to deal with on a daily basis. Here are some of the planner organization recommendations to take into account:
- Make to-do lists every day
- Color-code all the tasks and assignments by class
- Put down estimated completion times to keep on track
- Arrange your home assignments by the complexity levels
- Highlight the tasks that are the most urgent
- Break more difficult assignments into bite-size chunks
With the help of a planner, you will be able to take larger assignments and tasks and separate them into smaller chunks that are easier to manage. Besides, you can get back to the previous tasks and keep track of what you have already completed.
Have Some Regular Me-Time
When it comes to getting organized in college, self-care is usually something that most students seem to overlook. Learning to balance your stress will help you stay productive and keep you from being overwhelmed with the tasks at hand.
Me-time can include any activity that puts your physical and emotional well-being in the first place. It can be some fun activities, workout sessions, and sufficient sleep. The reality is that adequate sleep, regular physical activity, and a well-balanced diet will not only combat stress and illnesses but also reload and fuel up your brain.
Don’t forget to take care of your mental health as well during your academic journey. If at some point, you find yourself overwhelmed with the number of tasks, papers, and other issues that require attention, try meditation and breathing exercises to calm down and clear your mind.
Don’t Multitask
You can finish a quality essay in two hours if you make sure to give it your 100% attention. Or, it will take forever to do your research, organize materials, and write a rough draft if you’re watching some TV show, chatting with your friend on Instagram, or watching the news. As a result, you will have to look for some cheap essays for sale from online custom writing companies just because you failed to manage your time effectively. To create an original piece in a short period of time, ensure to focus on the task and don’t be distracted by anything else.
Know Your Most Productive Hours
If you’re an early rise, you may prefer to work on your assignment during the morning. At the same time, night owls tend to crack open the books late at night. It’s not a good idea if you decide to work in the morning if you’re a real night owl. Make sure to study when you’re most productive. Thus, you will be able to reach optimal results.
Use Apps and Websites
There are many apps and websites that help turn every other study session into a fun activity, cut off distractions, and keep you organized.
MyStudyLife can serve as a great alternative to a planner. Use this app to organize your schedule, test preparation, and assignments. What is more, the app will also send you reminders of all the upcoming events.
Habitica helps turn all of your daily goals into something fun. The app makes it easier when it comes to sticking to your goals and helps you enjoy the ride.
- KeepMeOut
KeepMeOut is an online tool that prevents you from visiting distracting websites too often. It will help you concentrate while you’re working.
Learn to Say No
If you want to get organized and become an effective college student, make sure you don’t say yes to everything. It is important to set boundaries for yourself. Decide how often you can hang out with your friends during the week, how many skype or any other calls you plan to have, as well as how many extracurricular activities you will take part in. Always know your priorities.
Finally, do not feel guilty when you say no to someone. After all, you are a busy student, and you need to stick to your schedule as much as possible.