Have you ever shown up to class, only to be surprised to hear the dreaded words, “OK, everyone, put your books away while I hand out tests.” “Test? What test? I didn’t know we have a test today.” Whoops.
Most people have had this experience at some point in their lives. But academic success is more easily attained by those who are more organized than by those who don’t know what is supposed to happen or when it is supposed to happen. What are the keys for staying organized to achieve academic success?
First, keep a master calendar that has all of the due dates of important projects, exams, quizzes, group assignments, and individual assignments. This can take several forms: a day planner; a wall calendar; a personal digital assistant (PDA); a mat calendar (one of those large, flat calendars); or something similar. Regardless of which form you use, have a place where you keep everything, and consult it regularly.
Second, in addition to a master calendar, it is also helpful to also use a mini-calendar. Whereas a master calendar will help you keep track of due dates for term papers, major exams, and the like, a mini-calendar is designed to help you keep track of what is (or should be) happening today, tomorrow, and the rest of the week. Some may prefer to digitize this function with a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or another electronic device, which can serve as an electronic reminder for important events. Either way, it is not a bad idea to subdivide your day into time blocks, as it will help you to keep your day focused and on track. Even if you get a little off schedule, it is better to have a blueprint that you don’t achieve perfectly than not to have a blueprint at all.
Third, make “To Do” lists, either in hard copy form or with a PDA. Prioritize the items from most pressing to least pressing, and then begin to knock them out, one item at a time. When you complete each item, cross it out. It will give you a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. If you get stuck on one item, skip it and come back to it when time permits. Keep moving through the list. Along the same lines, keep lists of needed supplies so that when you visit the office supply store, you get everything you need in one trip. Use trip chaining when you need to stop at more than one supply store, using the shortest possible distance for the route to save time.
Fourth, keep your work itself organized. Several methods can work. One method is to have a large 3-ring binder for all your classes, with each class separated by index dividers, labeled by subject. Each divider would be followed by the syllabus for that course. Then course materials, such as graded assignments and tests, in chronological order, would follow, with newer material filed to the back. Assignments on-deck, or currently pending, could be placed in the pocket on the inside of the folder.
Fifth, create traffic flows. Have an “Inbox,” for assignments to be done. An Inbox could be its own folder or the inside pocket of a master binder. Practice triage in completing assignments on deck. Triage is a nursing term for deciding which patients to treat first; patients who are critical but can benefit from treatment are treated first. Applied to academics, it refers to prioritizing assignments from most critical to least critical. Obviously, preparing for an exam tomorrow that represents 30% of the final grade is more critical than a paper that is due in 3 weeks. Likewise, have an “Outbox” for assignments that have been completed. It can also be its own folder, an index divider in a master folder, or a pocket inside a Master Binder.
Sixth, periodically reduce clutter. It is especially important to keep your work area free of clutter. Items should be grouped into 3 categories: keep, trash, or sell/give away. The relevant question is, “Am I likely to use this in the near future?” For example, upon completion of a course, a textbook for a course that is in the student’s major might fit into the “keep” category, while a textbook not in the student’s major probably should be sold back or given away. Spiral-bound notebooks may not be good reference sources, and therefore should probably be trashed or recycled after the course is completed. A well-organized 3-ring binder for a specific course could possibly be a reference source; if so, it may be appropriate to keep. Obviously, a book that is in current use should be kept, at least until the completion of the semester. But keeping items such as computers, laptops, cell phones, games, or game accessories that don’t work or will not be used is not just silly, it is counterproductive. The same applies to books that will not be read, CDs that will not be listened to, and videos that will not be watched. Space that these items take up leaves less productive space available, such as for a study area on a desk. Also, clutter takes away from the Feng Shui, or positive energy, that a room or other place might otherwise have, which in turn reduces productivity. Plus, by giving away or selling these items, someone else can enjoy them, not to mention the potential tax benefits for charitable contributions.
Seventh, even though it is a cliché, a critical point needs to be mentioned: have a place for everything, and return everything to where it belongs after you finish using it. Having a place for everything may mean labeling shelves of a supply cabinet, for example, or a least designating a place for each item. Nothing is more frustrating or a bigger waste of time than needing an item, such as glue stick, and being unable to locate it. Take the extra minute or two to put things away after use, and you will find that it saves you significant time later.
Lastly, when you have achieved organizational mastery, reward yourself with something you want. In fact, use the reward as a motivational tool to help you achieve optimal organization. You will have earned it. Good luck from Logos Tutoring on achieving organizational mastery to enhance your academic success!