Staying Organized Throughout the Semester

Most semesters start out relaxed, but before you know it, you might find yourself behind on reading assignments and facing the first round of exams. The best way to avoid this? Staying organized from the beginning so that you know exactly what is expected of you and when. Here are some things that you can do the first week of class to ensure that you stay organized all semester.

First, organize your schoolwork. Buy a three-ring binder, page protectors, notebook paper, page dividers – the ones with a pockets work the best. Use the page dividers to make sections for all of your courses and then add a few page protectors and paper. Usually the first day of class is spent going over the course syllabus, which is important because it contains information about course requirements, attendance policies, and the exam and reading schedule. Throughout the semester, you will probably find yourself referencing it more times than you can count. Therefore, it is important to be able to quickly access it and keep it in good condition. To do this, place it in page protectors in the section you have designated for the course. The rest of the section can be used to keep lecture notes or the pockets in the page divider can be used to store any handouts or graded homework assignments that you don't want to lose.

Second, organize your schedule. After getting home from that first day of class, you might find yourself already overwhelmed with your course load. Yet, it is important to remember that assignments are spread out and you have plenty of time to complete them. That is, if you are able to plan ahead of time. It is important to make a calendar at the very beginning of the semester. There are several ways you can keep a calendar. If you are someone who prefers physically writing down your schedule on paper, you can purchase a planner or wall calendar. If you are more of a technological person, you can use Internet applications like Google Calendar and Yahoo Calendar to access your schedule on a computer. Begin by writing down all of the exams and quiz dates, due dates for projects and papers, and reading assignments for each class day. When you are done you will have a good visual picture of what your semester will look like, such as when you should be doing something school-related, and when you might have some free time.