Life as a student is busy. If you’re not organized and you feel like you’re not on top of things, stress can build up. You might end up working late and sleeping less to try to catch up, but this isn’t a good habit. Getting organized for school is all about developing good habits and systems. We have some simple tips that will help you become organized, productive, and effective.
Develop a routine
Consistency is the key to student success. So create your general weekly schedule on your LG Ultra-light Notebook from Buydig.com and stick with a routine. Include things like when you’ll do your homework, when you’ll review the things you’ve learned, when you’ll exercise, and so on. It’s not possible to stick to a routine 100% of the time, but at least set up the framework to keep you focused and on track.
Set rules for yourself
Set some very specific rules for yourself. These could be things like “complete all projects and assignments at least two days before they are due” or “start studying for tests at least one week in advance”. Don’t treat the actual deadline as the deadline. Set your own deadline one or two days before, and plan accordingly. You’ll also be more likely to submit your best work.
Write everything down
Put everything in your planner: homework, test and exam dates, family events, social events, etc. This way, you’ll be far more organized. Use Google Calendar, Google Keep, or MyStudyLife to keep your schedule right at your fingertips on your phone, laptop or tablet.
Use the following websites and apps
Test out the following websites and apps to make studying fun, keep you organized, and remove distractions:
Habitica
Habitica is an app that turns your goals into a fun game. It makes it more likely that you’ll stick to your goals and enjoy the process too.
MyStudyLife
This app replaces a planner and helps you organize your schedule, tasks and exam preparation. It also sends you reminders of upcoming events.
KeepMeOut
This online tool prevents you from visiting distracting websites too often. It will help you concentrate while you’re working.
Declutter once a week
At the end of each week, look through all the papers, notes, brochures, and other things you’ve accumulated on your desk and inside your backpack from Buydig.com. Recycle or throw away all the things you don’t need. Clutter attracts clutter. So if you declutter once a week, you’ll be more likely to stay organized in general. You’ll also find it easier to stay focused.
The two-minute rule
If a task takes two minutes or less to do, do it immediately. When you follow this rule, small tasks don’t pile up and become overwhelming. Things like texting a friend, sending your classmate some information via email, or asking your parents to sign a consent form are all quick tasks that take less than two minutes to complete. When you do these tasks immediately, you’ll feel a sense of achievement too.
When you want to be productive, use a timer to help you focus. Using a timer adds a sense of urgency. Try working in blocks of 30 to 40 minutes, followed by a short break. If you’re up for it, set a timer for your breaks too, so that you don’t take a 45-minute break when you only intended to take a 10-minute break.
These tips might leave you feeling overwhelmed, especially if you’re not already an organized student. So take one step at a time. Start by identifying which areas you need to work on, and then prioritize them. Adopt one new habit in the coming week. Once you’re comfortable with that habit, adopt one more. Start making progress toward becoming an organized and focused student today!
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