7 Ways to Become More Organized

This term may be winding down, but it’s easy to feel stressed about the papers and projects you have to finish before it’s over. Read through the tips below to help you manage your time as you balance college, work, and other daily activities. You can also refer back to this article when the new term begins so it’ll be easier to stay on track!

1. Separate your papers and material for each class so you won’t get them confused. Keep your English homework with your notes from English class and do the same with your other classes.
As you get further into your program, your classes for a term may become more alike. For example, an accounting major wouldn’t want to submit an assignment that was supposed to go to Managerial Accounting in to their Financial Accounting class!

2. Start using a planner, whether it’s a schedule you can carry with you or the calendar on your smart phone (as long as you know you’ll check it). You can also set reminders on your phone so you don’t forget to submit work.

3. Now, schedule in time to study! Once you’ve marked down the essentials like classes and work, you can see where you have free time. Don’t think you need 3 hours free to be able to work – do your assignments in 15 minute increments if that’s all the attention or time you have available.

4. Have a bag or backpack allocated for your school items. Leaving your papers and books loose and carrying them around makes it easier to lose things. You can also keep some highlighters, pens, and pencils in there so you won’t have to borrow supplies from classmates.
Did you finish a paper or project at home? Place it in your bag so you won’t leave it behind when you have to turn it in to your professor. Want to carry a different purse with you? Make sure you transfer everything in your allocated bag over to your new one.

5. Create a checklist. When you’re given your assignments, write down (in order) when they’re due and cross them off as they’re completed. This also helps ensure that you’ve finished your classwork during finals, when things seem more hectic.

6. Find a study partner who will hold you accountable and won’t distract you. This could be someone from one of your classes or a friend or family member. Pay attention to whether or not you get more work done with them or on your own. At the very least, ask someone to periodically ask you how your work is going.

7. Check out your SWFC library for books on study skills by going to their online catalog or browsing the shelves in the LB call number section. The Tampa campus has books like How to study : and other skills for success in college (LB2395 .M595), Fort Myers has 100% College Success (LB2343.3 .S664 2007); Bonita Springs has Keys to success : building analytical, creative, and practical skills (LB2343.32); and Port Charlotte has College survival & success skills 101 (REF LB2343.32 R34 2008). Of course, you can find even more titles at each campus - and ask to loan a book from another!