As you enter the new semester, creating a daily routine can be difficult. Classes have been in session for a few weeks, jobs have reconvened and your activities have been piling up. There may be one component that you have overlooked: which is staying organized.
I am one who struggles with staying organized and have found myself asking the question of how can one stay organized while living a busy college life. To answer this question, there are different organizational skills that you can incorporate into your daily routine. These tips and ideas are meant to help any college student alleviate stress and find the right path to success.
- Incorporate a planner: Incorporating the use of a planner seems easy enough, and it can have multiple benefits. Having a planner gives you a central place to organize your assignments, due dates and exam deadlines. There are many types of planners with different layouts for your choosing. The different layouts may include a calendar, to-do list, motivational quotes and academic reminders.
- Plan out your day: Organization can start as early as when you wake up.. You can start your day by waking up at the same time daily and making time for breakfast before class. Classes takes up a majority of your day, so it is important to plan out a time to eat and study. Academics may seem at the top of the priority list, but it is important to make time for yourself. Taking a walk, grabbing coffee with a friend or reading a good book are great ways to recharge your battery.
- Time Management: Time management can be a struggle when you spend the majority of the day in a classroom. The day can get away from you, and it can be overwhelming to get everything done. Assembling a routine can help you accomplish tasks more efficiently. Focus on your approaching deadline first, and take each due date step by step. Think of what you need to get done for the day and how much time it’ll take.
- Practice waking up early: Waking up early in the morning can have numerous benefits instead of hitting the snooze button. You have the opportunity to have a calm and gradual start to the day instead of feeling rushed. Having extra time allows you to have time to plan and set intentions for the day. The morning can be a productive time to tackle tasks or exercise before you embark on your busy day.
- Avoid Procrastination: Procrastination is a common characteristic seen in college students. Taking many credits can result in accumulating too many assignments to complete all at once. Because of the heavy course load, you may steer towards procrastination. Procrastination can lead to unnecessary and preventable stress. To avoid procrastination, try prioritizing your due dates and assignments. Instead of pushing it all until the last minute, start your assignments earlier.
Organization is key to helping any college student succeed. Following these five tips will help your semester get off to a good start.
