1. Buy a Planner
If you’re anything like me, then you’ve been using a planner since middle school. Planners are the most efficient piece of school supplies you can purchase for yourself. During the year, I track all of my assignments, classes, and extracurricular activities by using my planner. Most planners come with other useful tools like a notes section, a list of holidays, or stickers for bookmarking special events.
2. Use a Separate Notebook for Every Class
I find that purchasing and using a separate notebook for all of my classes keeps me very organized. This way, all of my notes for the course are together in one place, and I don’t have to go searching through various binders or other notebooks for the materials I need. If you have the choice between binders or notebooks I recommend notebooks because you take a lot of notes in college courses.
3. Use Separate Folders
Make sure to have folders for every course. I keep all of my relevant information for each class together. I had plenty of friends who just used one folder or a binder, but I think it’s much easier to have separate ones to identify the class and materials.
4. Keep Your Desk Clean
5. Highlight
I may have a slight obsession with colored highlighters. During my classes, I highlighted information I found important during lectures, so it stood out while I’m studying, and I can easily find it. Highlighters are also helpful when identifying multiple types of facts during a lecture that need to be separated.
6. Keep Your Laptop Organized
Keeping your laptop clean is just as important as having a mess-free desk. Laptops scattered with various photos and files are overwhelming and difficult to use. I try and delete any of the files I no longer need or transfer the important files to my folders for safekeeping.
7. Buy an External Harddrive
8. Use a Backpack
I saw a lot of students carrying around handbags or totes instead of backpacks during college. However, I find that a backpack is the best approach. Backpacks are sturdier and can fit more items inside of them to bring to class. They also have various compartments for storing items so you can keep the items you need for each class together in one place.
9. Use a Calendar
Even though I had a planner, I used a giant desk calendar too. Giant desk calendars are another useful way to keep track of assignments and events, and it is portrayed right in front of you. Since I often looked at my desk, I never missed any of the information I kept on my calendar.
10. Use Sticky Notes
11. Color Code
12. Start Assignments Early
I get stressed once assignments start piling up, so I like to get a head start on my work as soon as possible. Take advantage of free time or nights when you have less work to do because you will be thankful that you chose to work ahead after several others are assigned and due on the same day.
13. Use Index Cards
I study best after taking down the information and repeating it, either verbally or by rewriting it. Index cards allow you to organize categories of information you may need to memorize for tests or quizzes, but they are fun to make. They’re portable and can be color-coded by subject or chapter. If you choose to use index cards for tests and quizzes throughout the semester, you can reuse them for midterms and finals!
14. Utilize Academic Centers
15. Visit your Advisor
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