It might seem clich\u00e9, but using a planner is one of the easiest ways to stay organized! I use a planner for both school and work, and I can\u2019t tell you how many times it has saved me from missing deadlines. With so many busy things going on in our lives, it\u2019s nearly impossible to remember everything on your to-do list. Having a planner allows you to write down anything that you need to do, as well as reminders such as birthdays or events. It\u2019s also helpful if you ever need to write down a note, but you don\u2019t have a spare piece of paper; just scratch it down in your planner! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve all told ourselves, \u201cI\u2019ll remember that for later.\u201d Then, later comes and you have no idea what you were supposed to remember. Here\u2019s an easy solution: set a reminder in your phone! Most phones have some kind of reminder app that you can use, or you can use the calendar app and set an alert to notify you. On iPhones, you can even turn notes into reminders. It\u2019s a fast and easy trick to keep track of reminders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re a visual person like me, try using colors to organize! Maybe you remember back in grade school when you were required to get specific colored notebooks for certain subjects; this is the same thing! I like to assign colors to subjects and then use a respective-colored notebook, folder, and highlighter for that subject. Color coding is also helpful if you have a calendar with your schedule laid out; highlight each class with that applicable color. Not only does this trick keep you organized, but it also brightens up your school supplies as well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve found that writing out my to-do list can be very helpful. When I have a lot to do, I tend to jump from task to task, doing things as I think of them. Writing your list down can help you stay focused. You don\u2019t have to keep remembering what you need to do, because you can simply look at your list. This method can also help you prioritize. I like to number my lists and put the tasks that need to get done first at the top. Sometimes, I\u2019ll also put the more challenging tasks at the top to get them out of the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your to-do list allows it, try multitasking by doing related tasks at the same time. For example, I took a class called Survey of American Jazz which required readings and listening to sound tracks. I would listen to the sound tracks while doing the readings, which actually helped me better remember the information during the exams. You could also study while working out, watch video tutorials while folding laundry, read a textbook while cooking, etc. Multitasking can be can great way to get things done while saving time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preparing meals ahead of time is another great way to organize your time. Meal prepping is very popular right now, so you can find tons of recipes on the internet. Basically, you cook several meals all at once, and then freeze them in single portion sizes. When dinner time comes around, all you have to do is heat up a meal and it\u2019s ready! This will save you a lot of time during the week because you won\u2019t have to cook or go grocery shopping until it\u2019s time to meal prep again!
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I\u2019ve also tried preparing ingredients individually rather than in meals. For example, I like to make omelets in the morning, so I\u2019ll chop up all the ingredients and place them in containers in the fridge. This way, I can still have a fresh omelet, but I save time during the preparation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar to meal prep, you can save time by preparing for the morning. Often times, I\u2019ll pick out my outfit for the next day before I go to bed. This is helpful anyway since my roommate is usually still sleeping, and then I don\u2019t have to pick out my clothes in the dark. I also like to pack my backpack and lunch for the next day. This helps me save so much time in the morning because I can just grab and go, rather than having to make decisions when I\u2019m still half asleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this day and age, you can\u2019t deny that we\u2019re all addicted to our phones. Phones can be so distracting and make studying nearly impossible! When it comes down to it, you just have to put it away! If you want to spin it in a more positive light, use your phone as incentive to get homework done. Once you\u2019ve completed a task, reward yourself with phone time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you ever have a break that\u2019s kind of short but not that long? It\u2019s too soon to go to your next class, but not quite enough time to go back home or to your dorm. Use that time to study! It\u2019s the perfect opportunity to go through flashcards, look over notes for an exam, or even add a paragraph to your paper. While it doesn\u2019t seem like much, it\u2019s more effective than scrolling through Facebook!<\/p>\n\n\n\n