If you’re struggling to keep up with your classes and assignments, don’t worry, you’re not alone. These are some useful college organization tips to help you stay on top of your workload.
College life can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to staying organized. With the abundance of new experiences, social opportunities, & academic challenges, it can start to feel like you’re constantly juggling multiple priorities at once. One of the keys to succeeding in college is staying organized and on top of your game. By managing your time, workspace, and coursework effectively, you can reduce stress and improve your academic performance.
This post will include some useful college organization tips to help you stay organized and productive throughout your college journey. From streamlining your schedule to balancing coursework and extracurriculars, this post will cover strategies that you can begin implementing immediately. Thus, whether you’re a freshman just starting out on your college journey or a senior working towards finishing strong, this post is for you.
This post is all about useful college organization tips.
Table of Contents
- Streamlining Your Schedule
- Creating a Productive Workspace
- Balancing Coursework & Extracurricular Activities
- Staying On Track
- Maintaining a Work-Life Balance
- Other Organization Tips
- This post was all about college organization tips.
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Streamlining Your Schedule
As a college student, you have a lot on your plate. From attending classes to completing assignments to participating in extracurricular activities, your days can quickly become packed with a multitude of responsibilities. That’s why it’s important to have a system for managing your schedule and staying on top of your to-do list. Here are some tips for streamlining your schedule and maximizing your productivity:
Create an assignment spreadsheet
One of the most important college organization tips is to keep track of all your assignment due dates for each class. I like to organize my assignments in Notion (check it out here) or Google Spreadsheets. I’ll be providing the steps for you to do it in Google Spreadsheets since not everyone may have Notion. All you have to do is:
- Make a column for Assignment, Due Date, Class, and a Done column to check off when you complete the assignment
- Input all your assignments into each row
- Assign each class a color and color code the assignments accordingly
- Organize the rows by Due Date
That’s it! Now you have a tracker that is color coded so you can easily tell which class each assignment is for. It is also organized by the due date so when you check your spreadsheet every day, the assignments with the most recent due date will be up first.
Above is an example of what my assignment tracker looks like in Notion. As you can see I also added a “Type” column for what type of assignment it is and an “Extra Info” column for any additional info like comments the professor made about the assignment.
For a free downloadable template to help you start off, check out my Notion Task Management System post!
Prioritize tasks based on urgency & importance
Not all tasks are created equal. Some tasks may be urgent and require immediate attention, while others may be important but not time-sensitive. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance. This allows you to focus on the most critical tasks first and avoid getting bogged down by less important tasks.
Set achievable goals and break larger tasks into smaller ones
When faced with a big task or project, it can be easy to feel intimidated or overwhelmed. That’s why it’s important to break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. This not only makes the task more approachable but also allows you to track your progress and celebrate small victories along the way. Additionally, set achievable goals! This will help motivate you to stay on track and avoid procrastination.
Manage Your Time
It is incredibly important that you find a method of managing your time. With so many classes, assignments, and extracurricular activities, it’s essential to have a system in place for managing your time effectively. I highly recommend using a digital calendar like Google Calendar or Apple Calendar. Both of these calendar platforms are great because they sync up with multiple devices so you can see all your events anytime and anywhere.
Moreover, look into Time Blocking. Time blocking, which I’m sure you’ve heard of, is a method of time management in which you schedule out every chunk of your time. This way you use every second of your day most efficiently. Time blocking is also great because if you have some free time in between classes, you don’t have to waste time thinking about a task to get started on. Instead, just look at your calendar (that you have already time blocked for the current week) and you can begin working on what you have previously assigned for that chunk of time.
This brings me to my next topic…
Track Your Time
Not everyone is productive at the same time of day. After a few days of time tracking, you will be able to look back into your reports and see exactly where your time is going.
Why should you want to know where your time is going?
- First, this way you can Time Block better! On your weekly planning day when you sit down at your computer, open Google Calendar, and get ready to block out your time for the week, you can open up your time tracker for accurate measurements. It can be very easy to underestimate how much time a certain task can take, but if you use a time tracker, you can look back at exactly how long a task took you and time block based on that.
- Second, if you notice a lot of your time is going into something like cooking or entertainment, you can use strategies and work out different methods to maximize that time and lessen time wasted. For example, if you see you a lot of your time is going into cooking your meals each day, you could try to meal prep for a week and see how the stats differ.
- Third, Time Tracking allows you to understand exactly what times are your most productive. This way you can schedule the most difficult tasks during those periods.
There is a multitude of time-tracking apps out there, however, my personal favorite is Toggl. Be sure to try as many tools as you need to find the one that is just right for you.
Create a Routine
Sticking to a routine daily allows it to become a habit over time, making it easier for you to follow it. After tracking your time in the previous tip, you can form your routine to work around your most productive time slots.
Add things to your schedule like:
- Wake Up Time
- Breakfast
- Classes
- Meal Prep
- Work Outs
- Bed Time
Pack Your Backpack Every Night
This goes along with the previous tip, but packing your backpack and putting out your clothes for the next day every night saves so much time and energy. When you wake up you will no longer have to waste so much time picking out what outfit to wear. This will also make waking up in the morning even easier because you don’t have a list of tasks to do right in the morning in the back of your head.
Creating a Productive Workspace
As a college student, you likely spend a lot of time at a desk studying. That’s why having a productive workspace is crucial for staying focused and on-task. Here are some college organization tips for creating a workspace that maximizes productivity:
Designate a specific study area with minimal distractions
When it comes to studying, location matters. It’s important to find a space where you can concentrate and minimize distractions. This could be a quiet corner of the library, a coffee shop with a calm atmosphere, or a designated study space in your dorm room. Whatever your preferred location, make sure it’s facilitative to studying and free from distractions like loud noises, bright lights, or social media notifications.
Furthermore, having a designated study area helps your brain associate that area with work. Keeping your study space and “resting” space separate is useful because having separate locations for both allows you to naturally trick your mind into work mode when you are at your desk. It can be hard to accomplish if you do have a small study space, especially in a dorm when your bed and desk are right next to each other. However, even something as little as confining your study space to your desk and your rest area to your bed does the trick.
This can also help you correct your sleep schedule. When you head to bed your brain will automatically go into “rest” mode and thus it will be easier to relax and fall asleep.
Make sure your study space is comfortable and well-lit
Make sure your study space is comfortable and well-lit to avoid physical distractions. Use a comfortable chair and desk, and make sure the lighting is bright enough to read and work comfortably. You may also want to consider using noise-canceling headphones or soft background music to help you focus.
Keep your workspace clean and clutter-free
A cluttered workspace can be a major distraction and hinder your productivity. That’s why it’s important to keep your workspace clean and organized. This not only makes it easier to focus on your tasks but also reduces stress and improves your overall mood. Make sure to keep your desk free from unnecessary clutter and distractions, and take a few minutes at the end of each study session to tidy up.
Use organizational tools such as folders, binders, and shelves
In addition to keeping your workspace clean, using organizational tools can help you stay on top of your assignments and coursework. This could include folders and binders for keeping track of handouts and assignments, or shelves for storing textbooks and other reference materials. By having a system for organizing your materials, you can save time and avoid feeling overwhelmed by clutter.
Balancing Coursework & Extracurricular Activities
College is about more than just attending classes and completing assignments. Extracurricular activities can enrich your college experience, provide opportunities for personal and professional growth, and help you develop valuable skills outside of the classroom. However, it’s important to balance your coursework and extracurricular activities to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Here are some college organization tips for striking a balance:
Prioritize your coursework and schedule extracurricular activities accordingly
While extracurricular activities can be incredibly important, your coursework should always come first. Don’t let your extracurriculars take too much of your time and cause a drop in your grades. Make sure to prioritize your assignments and study time, and schedule extracurricular activities accordingly. This may mean saying no to some activities or limiting your involvement in others. Remember, it’s better to do a few things well than to spread yourself too thin and risk burnout.
Learn to say no and set boundaries
This tip goes along with the one above. In college, there are often countless opportunities to get involved in clubs, organizations, and activities. While it’s important to be open to new experiences, it’s also important to know your limits and set boundaries. Learn to say no to activities that don’t align with your goals or values, and make sure to carve out time for self-care and relaxation.
Try to integrate your passions with your coursework
One way to make the most of your college experience is to find ways to integrate your interests and passions with your coursework. This could mean taking classes that align with your hobbies or career aspirations or pursuing research opportunities in a field that you’re passionate about. By finding ways to connect your coursework with your personal interests, you can stay motivated and engaged in your studies.
Staying On Track
It is important to keep your momentum going by implementing habits that will allow you to stay on track. Here are the college organization tips for staying on track:
Keep Your Syllabi
Don’t throw away your syllabi after the first week of classes! They can serve as useful references throughout the semester.
The syllabi are useful when looking back on things like:
- Formatting when writing papers
- The grading scale
- Office hours
- Professor’s email
Take advantage of resources such as tutors, writing centers, and study groups
Don’t be afraid to take advantage of resources that are available to you, such as tutors, writing centers, and study groups. These resources can provide additional support and help you stay on track with your assignments and coursework. Make sure to reach out early if you’re struggling, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Maintaining a Work-Life Balance
College life is demanding, however, it’s important to maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout and maintain your mental health. Here are some tips for maintaining a work-life balance:
Prioritize self-care activities
Make time for self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies that you enjoy. These activities can help you reduce stress and improve your mental health, which can in turn improve your productivity and performance in school.
Take breaks and schedule downtime
Taking breaks and scheduling downtime is essential for avoiding burnout and maintaining your mental health. Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge, and take time off on weekends or during school breaks to spend time with friends and family, travel, or pursue other interests.
Get enough sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for staying focused and productive. Make sure to prioritize your sleep by setting a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, and avoiding caffeine and other stimulants late in the day.
By prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, taking breaks, and getting enough sleep, you can maintain a healthy work-life balance and thrive in your college experience.
Other Organization Tips
Get a Whiteboard
If you can get one, a whiteboard is helpful for so many reasons. You can use it for To-Do lists, brain dumps, working out math problems, and more. It is incredibly helpful to have a tool to write on that you can erase over and over again all while staying organized.
Archive Unneeded Emails
This may seem like a hassle, but going into your email every week to quickly archive unnecessary emails keeps your inbox organized and your mind a little more stress-free. If you need to go back and find an email, having a clean inbox can ease the stress of searching through spam emails. Note that this isn’t a significantly important task and you shouldn’t be spending more than 10 minutes doing this every week.
Remember, everyone’s approach to organization is different, and it may take some trial and error to find what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques and strategies until you find a system that works for you.
With the right tools, mindset, and habits, you can succeed academically and personally in college. Good luck!
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