I’m sure like many students, you start every new school year thinking you have a clean slate and you make resolutions to do things better than last year. It’s great to set yourself goals that will get you better grades and help you pass those exams. One of the most important factors in success is being organised. When you are organised, you meet deadlines, hit revision timetables, and cause yourself less stress. Here are my favourite tips to stay organised during the school year.
Having a workspace at home or in your dorm room enables you to stay focused and provides a dedicated place where you can get stuff done. Make sure to keep this space free of distractions and clutter. Sure, having a few fun things here and there can inspire creativity, but don’t go overboard. The least amount of clutter, the better.
Invest in a good daily planner. Keeping a planner is really beneficial because it allows you to jot down any important dates and deadlines. Whether it is an actual planner, an app, a digital calendar in your phone or even a spreadsheet on your laptop, keeping a planner is definitely a smart idea.
If you carry binders, notebooks, or folders, it’s easier to find what you want if you keep papers for your classes separated with tabs or sections. If you are someone who uses a laptop or computer for school, keep digital folders on your desktop for each of your classes. Easier and hassle-free.
Cut the clutter out of your binders and school bags by keeping already-graded papers out of them. Keep any papers, tests or assignments you get back in files or folders. Don’t throw them away! They are useful for revision or you may need them to argue about a grade.
Deadlines can be scary and worrying, but they are always going to be set. At this point, I’ll reminder you the first tip I gave. Having a planner is a great tool to remember the important deadlines.
For success at school, it is crucial that you have your priorities straight. If you really want to go to that party, or that concert, study ahead of time, and do your assignments before you go.
When you know you have tests coming up, make study guides to help organise your revision material. Instead of just flipping through pages and pages of notes, make one concise document that contains all the key points. Doing this will also significantly reduce the amount of stress when it comes to studying.
This presents a great opportunity to use those study guides! Going to study groups and review sessions is an awesome way to feed off each other’s knowledge and notes. It is another way to reduce the amount of stress and pressure because you are all working together.
It is always a good idea to get to know someone in class so that you can ask them for help if you need it, or so that you can ask them for notes if you miss a class or two. Exchange numbers and emails so that you can easily get in touch.
Please pass on your best tips to stay organised in school.