The start of a new semester always brings a flurry of activity: moving back in, catching up with friends, starting classes and encountering new challenges. Even as routines fall into place, it can still be difficult to juggle a full schedule. There always seems to be something to do—whether it’s homework, laundry or rushing off to a club meeting. In turn, staying organized can often be difficult to manage, but is possible with a few tips and tricks.
In terms of keeping track of meetings, classes and activities, a little effort goes a long way. Taking time to write down commitments in a planner, on a calendar or on an app is a lifesaver when it comes to remembering your schedule. Instead of trying to remember where you have to be and when, you can go to the same place every time you need to check your schedule.
Making lists is another great way to stay organized throughout the semester. To-do lists can be jotted down quickly on a phone from pretty much anywhere. Setting a few reasonable goals for each day, like a chore to do or homework to be completed, is a great way to stay productive and use your time wisely. Writing a to-do list doesn’t have to be time-consuming, either: they can be written as you walk across campus, while eating or as you wait for class to start. Fitting organization into your day doesn’t have to be hard: small steps can help the most!
Many people tend to find an organized room more motivating than a disorganized one: when a space is messy, it’s often easy to leave it that way. However, getting into the habit of cleaning up a few things at a time can be a valuable and quick solution to keeping a room neater. Every time you take a break from studying or each time you leave your room, take a moment to pick up or clean three things. These could be small things, like a pen or a candy wrapper, or big things like making the bed or putting away a load of laundry. Investing in boxes, totes and other storage containers are also a great idea for keeping track of everything in your room.
These tips and tricks are all well and good on paper, of course, but how do we stay organized when we’re feeling unmotivated? When we’re overly stressed, busy or just not feeling like doing anything, it can be hard to find reasons to keep organized. Nobody can be perfectly organized all the time, anyway: the important thing is that you do eventually get back into the habit. Listening to an upbeat playlist, turning on a favorite show or listening to a podcast are all excellent ways to make the work more enjoyable. Starting small or doing a little at a time can also go a long way: getting started is often the hardest part. In the end, what counts is that you do what makes you feel the best.
With time, anyone can become an expert at staying organized. At the beginning of the semester this can be especially tricky, but if you take these extra steps now it will be easier to maintain a healthy schedule. Staying organized is also a valuable form of self-care: it reduces the stress of a scattered schedule, focuses your attention on important assignments, and helps you feel productive throughout the day. It can be a challenge to maintain, and you don’t have to be organized all the time to still be successful, but the benefits of starting these habits now are worth the struggle!
