Staying Organized at College

As summer begins to wind down, planning for your upcoming move to college can seem daunting once you begin to think about all the things you still need to buy and pack before you can set out on the road.

Not only this, but once you’re at college, the real work begins. From unpacking and organizing your room to finding your way across campus and scheduling your classes to ensure nothing overlaps — you still have a lot of work cut out for you before the start of the fall semester.

Fortunately, things don’t have to seem this chaotic, and not everything has to be meticulously planned. Finding a balance and prioritizing what you know is important to your move and near-term college experience will help you feel more relaxed and overcome the anxiety of leaving your parents’ home.

Getting Organized Before The Semester Begins

While you still have time on your hands, either between running errands at home or attending to your summer job, set aside time to begin planning for your fall semester.

Returning to college can feel overwhelming for some people, as they have to plan and fit many different things into their schedules. The simplest things can quickly seem more complicated than they used to and often strain you and your family.

Here are some helpful things you can do to help you be more organized for college:

Start on a blank page

Whether this is your freshman or senior year at college, always begin your planning on a blank page. This will allow you to take a fresh approach and consider things you haven’t previously considered.

Start by writing down everything that still needs to happen between now and when you leave. You might still need to finalize some of your fall schedules, submit additional paperwork to college admissions, or maybe you still have loads of shopping to complete in the coming weeks.

Think of as many things as possible, and add them to the list. You will begin to notice that the more time you spend thinking about all that needs to be done, the more you will start to list together.

Prioritize tasks

Next, use a simple method to prioritize everything you have written down. One recommendation is using an ABCD prioritization scale. Each letter would represent a level of importance and allow you to group tasks of the same importance.

For instance, you could end up with something like this:

Group A:

Finalize accommodation

Pay and obtain a campus car license disk

Have the car serviced and the oil changed

Group B:

Review the potential class schedule

Order new bedding

Order a new fridge for room

Group C:

Organize fall clothing

Clean out closet

Donate old books

Group D:

Return online order

Have car washed

This may be a shortened version, but you will have plenty of tasks you want to complete before heading off. Make sure to include more pressing things at the top of your list and within the first two groups.

Build your schedule

It’s time to get more organized. You can start building your schedule for the next several weeks using a calendar. Working with your prioritization list, you can begin planning your tasks accordingly, scheduling tasks that will take more time at the very beginning of your timeline.

Let’s say you still have to get your car services before leaving, but you know this will take several hours of your day. Instead of leaving this to the last minute, complete it first. You automatically free up your schedule by getting the more significant and perhaps more time-consuming tasks out of the way first.

Try to keep tasks together. For instance, if ordering new bedding and appliances for your dormitory is at the top of important things to do, get that done first. Don’t separate tasks, this will only take up more of your time and leave you with an overflowing schedule.

Create a checklist

A checklist is another smart way to stay on track. You can add your checklist to your calendar, eliminating the need for additional lists. Using a checklist can be very helpful when you start planning for everything you still need to purchase and pack.

With your checklist, try to keep the most important tasks at the very top. This way, it will be harder for you to miss something you might need at a later stage. Group things together that you know will take more of your time.

Always double-check your checklist, even if you think you have everything. You don’t have to complete everything at once, but remember to return to your checklist before leaving for college.

Have a realistic timeline

When planning your schedule, set up a realistic timeline in which you want things to be completed. If you know that submitting a document online will only take a few minutes, don’t set out several hours or a whole day to complete this.

The same goes for other more important things, such as booking important appointments or waiting for an online order. Leaving important things to the very last minute only adds more stress and anxiety to your schedule and the experience.

For instance, consider something simple, such as applying for a student account or obtaining your new student ID card. At some colleges, this can take up to 48 hours. However, you might find that some schools have a 30-day processing period. This won’t likely be the same across the board, but make sure to have read up about the waiting period for essential tasks you need completed before your classes start.

Similarly, if you’re an international student or recently moved from abroad to study at a school in another country, you must have your planning in order. Not only will you need to have a student identification card, but some U.S. states require you to carry a local state ID, while in Canada, you may be required to apply for an Ontario photo card, which can take 4 to 6 weeks to process. This can vary depending on where you study and what the local jurisdictions are.

These activities are in addition to the pre-departure checklist items you must complete before leaving for college. Decide what will work best for you, but also try not to leave these important things to the very last minute.

By being realistic and thinking more logically, you can plan more effectively, allowing yourself enough time to complete everything before you pack up and leave. Also, being more organized could save you a few extra days to relax and spend with your family and friends.

Essential Tips For Managing Your Time More Effectively

Aside from proper scheduling and planning, here are some additional tips that you can follow to help you organize your time before the semester begins:

Make use of digital tools

Using digital tools can help alleviate the stress of keeping tabs on everything. Start using a digital calendar that syncs with your devices and family members. Digital tools allow you to be more flexible and update your schedule to suit your preferences.

Think strategically

Be more open to implementing strategic thinking capabilities to help you plan for the near term. You are the only person who will know what is best for you and what is required to become more in charge of your schedule and activities.

Make time for yourself

It’s easy for you and your family to get caught up in all the planning. However, it’s important to take some time to rest and even spend some time by yourself. For the next several months, you will be constantly surrounded by other people, and your schedule will be packed with various activities. Make use of this period to give yourself some downtime as well.

Stay healthy

In addition to having time to yourself, make an effort to stay active. This may include going to the gym, running, or simply walking the dogs around the neighborhood. Being active can help improve your well-being and help you stay sharp and focused.

Ask for help from others

Asking for help can be an excellent way to alleviate stress and clear your schedule of unnecessary tasks that take up time and require your physical and mental presence. You might want to do everything yourself, but sometimes it’s better to ask for help from a parent, sibling, or friend. Not only will another set of hands make the workload feel less burdensome, but it will also give you more time to focus on important things.

How To Manage Your Time At College

Now that you have arrived at college, the real work can begin. Though there is plenty that you may be excited about, you will need to start thinking about how you will effectively manage your time to avoid being overwhelmed and feeling burned out early on in the semester.

Arrival checklist

Something that you should try to have on the day of your arrival is a checklist with everything you need to have completed before classes begin. Your arrival checklist may include specific things, such as ordering a few last-minute items or setting a day and time to collect your study guides.

Your arrival checklist may include important dates, such as specific social events you would like to attend before your classes start. You should include whatever you think may be necessary to remember or tick off before you are thrown into the academic year as part of your arrival checklist.

Try to keep your checklist modest, including only the most essential things. You can always add or remove items as time goes by. Having a realistic timeline for everything is vital to avoid dealing with recurring issues once the semester has officially started.

Record your class schedule

Once you have settled, you can begin planning your class schedule. You will find that your classes might overlap or that certain days are busier than others. This is normal and is part of the college experience.

However, you must find a suitable and workable schedule that ensures you don’t miss classes due to poor scheduling or improper time management. During the semester’s first several days and weeks, your class schedule will change multiple times. You may drop or add new classes, which can change how your weekly schedule works.

Once you have found your feet and better know which classes you will attend during the semester, you can start finalizing your class schedule. Remember that it’s likely to change again, so try to remain flexible and make necessary adjustments as you continue further into the semester.

Plan for important events in advance

We’ve mentioned the importance of having an arrival checklist, and as part of this planning for important dates, it is a must for any freshman going to college. Having a notice board in your room or adding things to your digital calendar in advance will save you time and prevent you from missing out on anything important.

At the beginning of the semester, your class coordinator will share important dates regarding assignments, tests, and examinations. Knowing these well in advance is important, as this will give you enough time to prepare and set up your schedule around those dates.

Keep in mind that some of these dates may change at any given time, and it’s your responsibility to follow up in case any dates have changed. Not only this but talking to other students or your professor can also help clear the air. Don’t hesitate to ask when you are unsure, and always remember to update your calendar.

Set up dedicated work and study time

Studying will take up much of your time, at least in most instances. Scheduling dedicated study time, whether in the morning, during classes, or over the weekend, will help you manage your time more effectively.

You can include an hour or two of study time each day if your schedule allows. Doing this lowers the need to complete much studying before an important test or exam. Not only this, but once you get to the studying part of the semester, the information will already be in your memory, and you will most likely only need to refresh on specific parts.

Choose a method that works best for you and your weekly schedule. Try not to add more than what you know you can handle. Some courses will be more complex and demanding than others, which may require you to dedicate more time to a specific class. Try to remain flexible and establish a working routine throughout the first several weeks of the semester.

Create your routine

We’ve briefly mentioned creating a routine for yourself. Setting a routine can help you manage your days more effectively and ensure you complete all the tasks you had scheduled.

By creating a routine, you will:

  • Feel less stressed and overwhelmed
  • Establish a more predictable schedule
  • Create an efficient workflow
  • Learn and instill positive habits
  • Reduce the need for constant planning
  • Reduce the need for setting up reminders
  • Helps to reduce decision fatigue
  • Helps you create more structure

There are multiple benefits to having a routine, and the quicker you find your feet around your schedule, the faster you can begin creating structure in your day-to-day life.

Schedule time to be active

Having more autonomy and the ability to make your own decisions can allow you to create a schedule that suits your needs. Something that tends to be excluded from your college schedule is finding time to be active.

Your schedule may be packed with events, gatherings, and other important activities; however, your health should always be a priority, including when you feel stressed or overworked.

Research has found that as much as 59.9 percent of college students experience academic burnout, with male students accounting for the highest percentage of those experiencing frequent academic burnout.

Finding time for yourself is important. While you might feel like you’re missing out on specific social gatherings or meeting new friends, you also need time to rest and focus on your well-being.

Useful Tips For Time Management At College

Here are some more tips that you can keep in mind when planning your semester at college and to help you effectively manage your time better:

Time blocking

As we’ve mentioned, taking time for yourself is essential. Block off time on your schedule when you can do something for yourself. This can be anything you feel is necessary to help you rest.

Use the Pomodoro technique

The Pomodoro technique is a study method in which a person studies in various timed intervals. In this case, you should try studying in 25-minute intervals with breaks in between. This will help you feel more concentrated, leading to improved productivity.

Make use of available resources

You will likely have access to various educational resources. If you need something, contact a student advisor or ask someone you think will know whether specific resources are available to students.

Get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial, and there will be many nights where you will be tempted to stay up way past your bedtime. Make a habit of getting enough sleep each night. You will feel refreshed in the morning, and your brain will be more active throughout the day.

Learn to say no

You’re at college and want fun and experience as much as possible. While this may be important, saying no to things is just as important. The sooner you realize that you should say no to activities or things that don’t necessarily add value to your life, the better off you will be in the long run.

Reward yourself

Give yourself praise for everything you have accomplished up until now. You can be proud of all the hard work you have put in and will continue to do so until your senior year. Ensure you reward yourself throughout college, which will help you feel more motivated to complete complex tasks.

Wrapping Up

Think you’re ready for college? Planning and preparing for everything leading to the big day can feel overwhelming. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. The sooner you begin to plan and take control of your schedule, the better your time management will be before and during your fall semester.

Being more organized can reduce the number of tasks you must complete before setting off for college. Not only this, but you can also reduce feelings of stress and anxiousness. Once you understand what is considered a priority, you will find that your schedule becomes a lot more manageable.

Remember to make time for yourself and schedule activities that will help you relax. Take some time to rest, but also make time to be more active, such as going to the gym, joining a sports team, or simply walking or running on campus.

Your college experience can pass by in an instant. Before you know it, you will be back home for summer break. You can make the most of your time at college by taking better control of your schedule.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Sam Lion; Pexels

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