Let’s face it. College life is fast and always changing. It’s hard to keep up with so many demands in your head and maintain sanity when papers, books, and schedules in your life become cluttered and unorganized. Organization is the key factor when aiming for success in college and even further into your career. According to an informal survey at Daytona State College, 3 out of 5 students struggled with staying organized and fulfilling obligations.
Staying organized throughout college has many benefits that can improve students’ overall success in school and prepare the student for a future career. What are the best ways to stay organized? According to Russell Held’s “10 Organization Tips for College Students,” “The average student spends about 17 hours a week preparing for classes, which involves completing homework, reading materials and studying for tests.” Below are the top organization tips to enhance your success in school.
- Create a routine: Write down your schedule and remain consistent on a day-to-day basis.
- Set your own deadlines: Every two days, make your own deadlines. Plan ahead and complete the assignments according to your early due dates rather than the ones your instructor assigns. This is almost guaranteed to release your stress too.
- Use tools to stay organized:
● Pencil Pouches- Keep writing instruments together, use highlighters, pens, and pencils to mark notes.
● Planner- Write down schedules and assignments as you’re given them.
● Folders/Binders- Keep all papers and important documents in one general location. - Take organized notes: Studies show Cornell Notes are the most effective way to retain information.
- Break down big tasks into small ones: It’s important to assign each assignment to a specific day. By breaking it down into manageable parts, you can work on parts of the assignment each day and not feel rushed.
Students at Daytona State College, like Shenay Stewart and Haley Nirschl, give their best tips to achieving success in college. “I think wanting to be organized has to be a priority, or you will lose track of your assignments,” says Stewart. “It’s very important in wanting to succeed in college.”
Organization increases your chances of higher grades and even releases stress. Nirschl, second year college student, said, “At the beginning of the week, I try to make a specific day with at least one assignment being done each day, and assign a day to an assignment.” She also added, “I think that’s the most effective way to stay on task,” which is something college students strive for.