Keeping up with the Crazy: Five Habits of Organized Students
It is 8:45 a.m. The alarm clock has been going off for almost an hour. Math class starts in 15 minutes on the other side of campus, and today is quiz day. Books are scattered around the dorm, papers are crammed in every desk drawer, and the perfect comfy tee is in a pile on the floor.
After rushing to get ready and sprinting to the SMC, the classroom is empty. A faint memory of the professor mentioning a cancelled class comes to mind. Maybe that planner mom suggested really would have come in handy.
Staying organized is essential to maintaining a happy and less stressful college life. Managing classes, sports, service groups and social events can get tough if planning and organization are not involved.
In an interview with Time, psychologist Robert Epstein said, “Twenty-five percent of our happiness hinges on how well we’re able to manage stress.”
Staying orgFinding methods that work for different personalities and schedules is key.
“Using my phone is a fundamental part of staying up on my schedule because I always have it with me,” said Sasha Simpson, who uses the calendar and alerts functions on her smartphone.
Here are five easy ways to stay on top of a crazy college schedule:
Use some sort of planning system and keep it in the same general area so it is easy to find. Put in it class information, game times, meetings and anything else important to remember.
Write down all due dates as the instructor gives them, even if it is for something simple.
Highlight dates and important information in the syllabus for each class. Hold on to it and refer back to it often.
Exchange numbers with at least one person from each class and use each other as a reference when unsure about an assignment or due date.
Put all books, binders and notebooks for the next day in a book bag before going to bed.
“The gift of being able to attend college is a blessing, and staying organized means you are stewarding this gift from God with the utmost care and prioritizing your time wisely,” Lee student Izzy Rivera said.
