College Students- It's Time To Get Organized
By Shelley Ladin and Rhoda Geller

You show up for class expecting a review for tomorrow’s test.  You were planning on studying that night but what is the professor passing out?  You stare at the test on your desk and wonder how you made such a costly mistake.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. College students today have more on their plates than ever before.  You are a student in a society that is dealing with information overload, a faster pace than ever before and much more to remember. That is why it is so important for you to get organized.

If you think you can’t get organized, you are wrong.  Anyone can get more organized.  It is just a matter of finding a routine that works for you and repeating it every day. When you become more organized, you will spend less time looking for lost notes, hoping your professor doesn’t see you slip into class late or studying the wrong chapter. You can live college life without constantly trying to catch up.

Organizing Tips:

            Put It in Writing:  It is impossible for you to keep everything in your head. Get into the habit of putting reminders in writing, whether on sticky notes or your cell phone notepad or laptop.

            Keep Track of Your Week:  Did you ever wake up on Wednesday and realize you have a week’s worth of work to do in the next few days?  Where did Monday and Tuesday go?  When you plan your week, it is easier to manage your time. Use a calendar to keep track. It can be an inexpensive academic planner or you might use Outlook or Yahoo or Google calendars.

            Know What Is Coming:  Keep a long-term view of upcoming projects or commitments. Write down dates for quizzes, exams, projects and papers for the entire term. Include vacation dates and social obligations. If you use a calendar, hang it where you can see it every day (not behind the door).  If you use your laptop, have the calendar pop up when you log on. 

            Be Specific:  Don’t just write “exam” on your calendar.  You definitely need to include the course name, place and time.  You need to include specific days and times when you will be studying.  For large projects, write deadlines for smaller tasks you need to do to complete the entire project.

            Make Sure It Is Accessible:  Whatever you use to be organized, make sure you can access it at anytime.

            Keep in Mind:  Organizing college life is really not that difficult.  In all likelihood you already keep track of such important dates as winter break, an upcoming concert or the release of a new video game.  Just add the academic side of your life to what you already do and you will be on your way to a more organized way of life.  You will have less wasted time, less stress and more time for the fun side of college life. 
A big advantage of being a college student today is that there is so much technology available to help you get more organized.  Don’t forget to use technology.  Write it down!

 

Shelley Ladin and Rhoda Geller, are college career coaches specializing in working with high school,college students and professionals in achieving their career goals.

Visit us at www.collegecareercoach.com

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