Beat the Second Semester Slump: 11 Tips to Stay Organized for School

Hey everyone!

So now that it's 2012, we all have our resolutions.  A lot of you have told me that yours is to stay organized with school and get good grades.  That can be hard though, because the spring semester always seems to drag for me.  So, here's some tips to make it through the rest of the school year successfully!

picture from here

Here's a few of my tips:

1. Get new supplies: not everything, there's no need to waste money on pens and pencils when you have 50 of them, but I always buy new spiral notebooks (they're at Staples for $.50), a new accordion folder, new two-pocket folders, etc.  For some reason, having new supplies makes it a little more exciting.  

2. Keep an organized desk: Albert Einstein once said "If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, Of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?", well, sorry Albert, but I've found that if my desk at school is organized it's a lot easier to stay focused on studying and homework.  I'm not insanely organized about it, but I like it to be de-cluttered just to keep me from being distracted.

3. Use the library: All campuses have them, as well as high schools.  If you're having trouble studying in your dorm or in your room at home, use the utilize the library.  It's harder to be distracted when you're surrounded by nothing but books. :)

4. SELF CONTROL APP!: This is probably the coolest computer app I've found, I know it works for Mac Computers, but I'm not sure about PC.  It's off of the internet, you can download it here.  Basically, you type in websites on your "blacklist", which are websites that distract you the most, (mine are facebook and twitter, things like that) then you set the timer and your computer will NOT let you go to those websites until the timer runs out.  Even if you quit the app, turn off your computer, anything, you can't go to the website until the timer runs out! It's GREAT for when you're doing homework online or typing a paper so you don't get distracted! :)

5. Keep an Agenda: I don't have mine at home with me, it's at school, but having an agenda/planner saves my life.  I write everything down, label it, underline, highlight it.  Whatever will make you notice it! I found these cute Lilly ones online, definitely on my wishlist for next year ;)

picture from here

6. Don't carry a binder for each class: It's too overwhelming.  Even if you have a locker, I find it's a lot to carry around.  Instead of binders, I use accordions to carry everything around in, then get a folder for each class and put it in a slot in the accordion.  After I'm done with something, I'll put it into a binder, this way I can hang on to the important things but I don't have to lug around 6 binders!:

7. Use spiral notebooks: Loose leaf paper is too much of a hassle to keep up with, and when the holes rip it's a pain in the rear-end.  This way, when you need to tear something out you can, but the pages are all in order and more secure.  They're also easier to carry around than a bunch of binders full of loose leaf paper.  I'm a self-proclaimed nerd and I tend to take lots of notes, especially in math, so I keep a separate notebook for each class.  Some classes I take notes on the computer, but I'm a finance major so I take lots of math and I need to write it down to learn it! :)

8. Keep a visual agenda: I just use a notepad for this, and I write each day out and what I have to do for the day.  I just keep it out on my desk, so it's visible.  I use a planner, but this is just for a week-at-a-glance kind of view.

9. Post-its!!: Now this may be just me, but the more I write things down the more likely I am to remember to do it.  I use Post-its for EVERYTHING!  I write on them and stick them in my agenda, my text books, notes; I even stick them on my computer, wall, mirror and door for reminders!  For Christmas, "Santa" brought me this Post-it dispenser for my desk, and I LOVE it!:

10. Keep focused but have fun: It's important to learn how to manage your time.  I'm really good about getting my school work done as early as possible so I can go out to eat with friends or something.  Don't get stressed to the point of unhealthiness about your work.  Take a 30 minute break from studying when you feel overwhelmed, then go back to it when you're ready.

11. Don't procrastinate: This was always a hard one for me, especially in high school.  When you get assigned a 10 page paper and have 2 weeks to do it, really try to write it in the first week, then you have a week to look over it and make it perfect :) I'm a completely zero stress person, so getting things done early makes my life so much easier, especially in the second semester when you're ready for spring break or summer!

These were just a few tips on how to get organized for the second semester and stick it out until summer! I know it's tough, but you'll be glad you did when you get those A+'s and that 4.0 GPA! :)

Make sure to leave me a comment telling me your organization tips for school! I'm always looking for new ways to help!

Happy studying <3

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