Presented by the LLCC Learning Labwww.llcc.edu/learnlab217.786.2396

*Getting organized for college success!

*Why get organized?

Being organized is a quality of a successful studentBeing organized will make college life less stressful for youBeing organized means more study time and personal timeMore study time may lead to better grades and greater college

success

*What should you organize?

*Backpack *Study area *Time

*Technology

*How should you organize your

backpack?

Colored folder or binder with tab dividers for each class (keep your class syllabus here!)

Notebook or loose leaf paper for each class Pens, pencils, highlighters 3X5 cards Textbooks Calendar or academic planner 3-hole punch USB drive Post-it notes Class schedule (will be needed to obtain

your student ID from the library) Student ID Card Personal items (lip balm, Kleenex, etc.) Lunch or snacks

Pack your bag the night before classes

Some students have 2 backpacks – one for classes which meet on only on MWF and another backpack for classes which meet on TTR

*How should you organize your study

area?

Use ONE calendar – monthly, academic year, annual, chalkboard, whiteboard, paper or electronic (find a system that works for you!)

For small items, use a spice racks or ice cube trays to hold paper clips, thumbtacks, rubber bands, etc.

Use clipboards attached to the wall for reminders, to-do lists, reminders, necessary tasks vs. “can wait” tasks

Clean, empty food cans for pens, pencils, highlighters

Desk lamp File folder box or dish drying

racks for organizing papers for long-term storage

Smaller white boards for reminders

Pegboards for hanging items Bookshelves made out of crates,

held together with binder clipsDrawer dividers for desk

Attach baskets to peg boards for storage

Set up trash cans and recycle bins to help keep your area clutter free

Establish a spot for your phone, iPod, etc. if you find them distracting you.

Pinterest has many more ideas, with pictures!

*How should you organize your

time?

Put due dates and deadlines from your course syllabus on your calendar. Check your calendar each night for tomorrow’s deadlines, meetings,

events. Get everything ready the night before your class – your clothes, lunch,

snacks, backpack, electronics, etc. Put these things near the door. “Build in” 15 minutes of buffer time – get up 15 minutes earlier, leave

15 minutes earlier, etc. You will never feel rushed and you will likely be early to your classes and appointments.

Set limits each day on how much time you will spend on social networking sites, email, Pinterest, certain projects, papers, assignments, etc.

Plan ahead – break larger projects into smaller, manageable chunks. Try to combine some activities – can you write a paper rough draft while

taking public transportation to class? Record all appointments – either on your paper calendar, on your

phone, or both! Take time to do quality work the first time, to avoid having to redo tasks.

Set aside specific time for studying, for social gatherings, grooming, etc. Study in blocks of 45-50 minutes, then take 10-15 minute breaks

between study sessions. Remove any distractions and distractions and focus.

Summarize your toughest subject 30 minutes before bedtime. Your brain will consolidate, process and start moving the information into your long term memory while you sleep.

Say no to non-essential tasks and delegate when possible.

Create a daily plan, possibly hour-by-hour. Seek help from a professional counselor for

additional time management tips.

*How can you use technology to help you

get organized?

Set automatic reminders and notices for yourself – using Outlook reminders, sending your self emails for future delivery, or setting alarms on your phone

If you have a family, try using a calendar that allows everyone access, such as Google Calendar

Keep all of your contacts in your phone – school, family, friends, doctors, etc.

Use apps to help you organize – Evernote, Noredink, DropBox, iprocrastinate, Studious, Trello, Myhomework, Google Applications, MindMeister

Make a folder on your desktop for each of your classes

Create infographics to help you organize information into a visual format

Use mint.com to help you organize your finances

Track your work and time spent doing tasks on a spreadsheet

Use LinkedIn to manage your business networking contacts

Use web-based conferencing or free Internet calling such as Skype to meet in person

Use technology to make lists – a grocery list, a to-do list, a gift list etc. Update these frequently in order to make them effective

Create a folder for each of your classes on your desktop

Scan paper documents into searchable PDF’s. (NeatDesk will do this)

When saving documents, use a very detailed file name

The first week of classes is coming soon!

Before classes begin, do a practice run of your schedule – How long will it take you to get to campus? Do you know where your classrooms and lab rooms are located?

Introduce yourself to your instructor during his or her office hoursPrint the syllabus for each classFind your instructor phone numbers on the syllabus and save

them into your phoneSet a grade goal for each class and post it where you will see it

often! (Goals motivate and help you prioritize your time and efforts)

Find three places to study: 1 at home, 1 at LLCC, and 1 in another location (e.g. Panera)

Locate the LLCC Learning Lab and ask about the FREE academic support services offered

Organize your study area at homeAsk for three students’ names, phone numbers and emails – just

in case you miss class, you will have someone you can contact

Resources:

http://www.cob.sjsu.edu/nellen_a/time_management.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/time-management/wl00048http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/20-quick-tips-for-better-time-management.html

http://organizedhome.com/time-money/paper-chase-abc-household-paper-management

http://www.going-to-college.org/campuslife/technology2_transcript.html

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/30-easy-ways-to-organize-your-workspace

http://www.gettingorganizedmagazine.com/2012/12/03/12-things-to-simplify-your-workday/

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs049/1101860854247/archive/1109810565975.html#LETTER.BLOCK20