Life as a college student is hectic. There is a constant juggling of priorities. It is important to stay as organized as possible to get everything that needs to get accomplished done in a timely manner. Here are 5 tips for how to stay organized in your academic work:
Have an Assignment Planner
When you’re getting overwhelmed by personal commitments AND academic commitments, a lot of times the little assignments (that can seriously hurt your grade if you get a “0%” on them) end up slipping through the cracks. But by keeping a special planner just for academic work, you can keep track of how much time you will need each night for homework, what due dates are coming up, what assignments need to be done in what order, and when big test dates are. This keeps your school life and personal life separate, leaving your brain focused on school when it’s time to study (instead of when the next big social event is) and allowing for more overall focus.
Have One Notebook Per Class
Have a separate notebook for each class for taking notes during lectures. This allows for your notes not to get mixed up and promotes focus on one subject at a time. Plus, it would be embarrassing to put the wrong answer on a test simply because you studied something from the wrong class. Personally, I also kept a folder for each class for the syllabus, worksheets, handouts, etc. This way you’re always organized and focused.
Know How You Best Remember a Topic
Knowing how your memory works is extremely important for staying organized. Everybody is a little different when it comes to what helps them best remember a topic. For some, just having a system for notes and reading them over before a quiz is enough. But most people need a little more help when trying to memorize a topic for a class. Tips like using a tape recorder to record lectures as you take notes and use them simultaneously when studying can help some. Other things like flashcards or making up songs to help you remember can be beneficial. It’s important to know what works best for you and to be sure you stick to it and keep all the tools necessary available for each class.
Know Your Systems and Stick to Them
Just like memory techniques, everybody has different systems for how they learn best. For example, everybody takes notes a little differently and everybody starts an assignment a little differently. To stay properly organized, be sure to know what system works best for you and stick to it. For example, if you find a certain system for taking notes to be the most helpful, keep with that system for all your notes to avoid confusion. Or if you find that starting a paper is easier if you mindlessly write for 20 minutes and then get back to it to start, stick to that.
Know Your Personal Study Needs
Everyone has different study needs. Some people can study anywhere and do better with chaos. Most people, however, need a specific setting and more structure. Maybe you need a specific desk that is set up a specific way. Perhaps you need it completely quiet or maybe you do better with a little relaxing classical music playing in the room while you’re working. Possibly you do best with a detailed schedule to accomplish a project. You might study certain subjects best at certain points in the day. Some need periodic breaks to focus. Knowing what works best for you is very important to staying organized and doing your best in all your classes.
