I’ve been there—the last-minute rush to get everything done, from cramming for exams to finishing up paper deadlines. I’ve had all-nighters where I’m juggling four things at once and the anxiety levels are through the roof – *drum roll* It’s not a great feeling.
That’s why I’ve made it a point to stay organized as much as possible in college.
For me, that means having three main strategies that I rely on: lists, organization apps, and good old-fashioned planning.
For starters, making lists is key for me. Every morning, I write out what needs to get done that day and then prioritize the tasks. This helps me stay on track and make sure all my work gets done.
I also rely heavily on organization apps to stay organized. I use Google Calendar to make sure I don’t miss any deadlines. It’s so helpful to have everything in one place and be able to access it anytime, anywhere.
Last but not least, I plan ahead. I always make sure I’m aware of deadlines and exams well in advance so that I can manage my time. I also try to plan out how long each task will take so that I don’t get overwhelmed.
Related: The Deadline is Now: What Setting Deadlines Can Do For You in College
These strategies have saved me so much time, stress, and energy throughout college.
When I stay organized, I can get more done in less time and actually still have time to enjoy life. That’s why I make it a point to stay organized, no matter how hectic college gets! Trust me, you don’t want to be the Hot Mess Express!
Organizing your college life isn’t always easy. I can attest to this because it took me a while to figure out how to stay organized in college.
But with a few simple tips and tricks, you can easily keep your life in check.
How to Stay Organized as a College Student: 9 Effective Tips
1. Set Your Own Deadlines
Setting deadlines in college can be a lifesaver! It’s easy to think, “Oh, I’ll just do it later” but trust me, getting it done sooner is way better.
Not to mention you’ll be less likely to procrastinate if you set your own deadlines instead of relying on the due date. For instance, if you have two essays due on the same day – gasp! – then setting your own deadlines beforehand prevents you from having to stay up all night trying to finish them both at the last minute.
Plus, you won’t have to deal with any unnecessary stress or anxiety. So, plan ahead and set your own deadlines! You’ll thank yourself in the end.
Related: Procrastinator’s Guide to submitting College Assignments on Time
2. Figure Out When You’re Most Productive
Another great way to stay organized in college is to figure out when you’re most productive. Everyone has different energy levels throughout the day, so it’s important to find out when you work the best.
Are you a morning person who can get your assignments done first thing? Or someone who prefers to do all their work in the evening?
Find out what works best for you and use that time to finish your tasks.
Related: 56 Ways to be a Productive College Student: A Glimpse Into an Ultra-Productive Life
3. Set Up a Calendar: Stay Organized in College
A college calendar will help you visualize the big picture for the entire semester and each month.
Your teachers should give you a syllabus at the beginning of a new term. In these documents, you’ll see your due dates, assignments, and the course you’ll be taking. Take note of key dates and put them in your calendar.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can use apps like Google Calendar to schedule your class times and write down your deadlines.
Several calendars allow you to color-code events, set reminders, and even sync multiple calendars, so find one suitable for your needs.
Related: Get Ahead of the Game: 6 Best Free Online Planner Apps
4. Stick to a Schedule: Stay Organized in College
Create a realistic schedule so that you can stick to it.
If you know you’re like Garfield and hate Mondays, don’t schedule a study session for this day. Similarly, if you’re not an early bird, why would you put an early-morning study moment in your planner? It wouldn’t benefit you.
It’s best to stay organized and increase productivity by following a weekly schedule and being consistent.
Also, think about how and where you study best. For instance, you might work harder in your dorm or when you have other students studying around you in the library. If the latter is your case, then find a slot in your planner to work in the library, even if between classes.
Related: Break the Monotony: Here’s How to Achieve a Perfect Study Session!
5. Avoid feeling Overwhelmed and Disorganized: Self-care is Everything!
Self-care is such an underrated element of maintaining a healthy mind and body.
Like every other student, you’ll deal with college stress, so you have to learn how to balance your university work and social life to avoid feeling overwhelmed and disorganized.
Self-care is all about picking an activity that prioritizes your physical and emotional well-being (e.g., fun activities, sufficient sleep, exercise). Doing this will help clear your mind and allow you to focus better on your tasks.
Also, you need to pay attention to what you eat: a balanced, nutritious diet is a must to combat stress and illness while boosting your brainpower. So, make sure you take time for yourself and fuel your body with the right stuff!
Related: How to Eat Healthy in College When all you Have is Ramen Money
6. Be Motivated to Achieve College Success
College can be tough, but having a plan and motivation to achieve college success is essential.
Set achievable goals and try to stick to them. And never be afraid to ask for help if you need it! Surround yourself with people who are motivated and organized too, so you can use their knowledge and experience to help get you through college.
If you ever feel yourself slipping into bad habits, don’t beat yourself up – just take a step back and ask yourself what’s going on.
Then, jot down a list of why it’s important to stay organized and maintain a clean lifestyle. This will help you remember your goals and keep yourself on track when you feel unmotivated.
Related: Dream Big and Write it Down: Harnessing the Power of Goal-Writing
7. Plan Your Outfits Ahead of Time to avoid the Rush!
If part of your college routine is waking up and spending forever picking your outfit for your lecture, you need to say goodbye to this bad habit.
Before going to bed, select the outfit you’ll wear the next day. It will save you time in the mornings, and you won’t need to rush to class early in the day.
Related: It’s 8:50 am – How to Get Ready for College in 10 Minutes or Less!
8. Tidy Up Your StudySpace: Stay Organized in College
Having a cluttered workspace can be distracting and lead to anxiety, so the best way to stay organized in college is by maintaining a clean and tidy workspace. This will help you stay focused and improve your performance as a student.
Plus, if everything is in order, it’ll be much easier for you to find the notes and materials you need in a jiffy.
So, take some time to organize your stuff before going to bed every evening to help make the next day run more smoothly.
9. Wake Up At The Same Time Every Day
Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, choose a time to wake up every day and stick to it. It’s okay if you occasionally feel hungover and need to wake up a bit later than usual, but don’t make this a habit.
Waking up every day at the same time will give you a sense of routine and make you feel productive. So, get into a set schedule.
Now that you know how to stay organized in college, get ready to change your habits and improve your performance as a student. It will undoubtedly be challenging at first, but it will come naturally to you once you get into the routine of doing it over and over.
So, stay motivated, take care of yourself and you’ll be on your way to college success in no time!
“Organization is the key to success in college – it’s like having a roadmap that leads you right to your degree!”
Leave a Reply