By Emily Chance
1. Use a planner! Planners are very important in keeping everything organized and together. Be sure to write down upcoming tests and quizzes so they don’t sneak up on you. Keep your planner organized and up to date. For example, you could color code classes by using different colored ink for the assignments for that class.
2. Use a watch or a phone to keep track of your classes. If you are like me, you get your days mixed up. If you set an alarm on your phone, you can look at the alarm name and see “English 101 in one hour!” This is a good way to improve your time management skills.
3. Keep a multi-subject notebook. Put all of your notes for all of your classes in this notebook. That way there is no chance of grabbing the “wrong” notebook. Do the same with a paper organizer instead of using several different folders. You can buy a collapsible one at any store that sells office supplies. It fits perfectly in a bookbag.
4. Don’t get too involved! It is important to be involved in a couple of clubs or activities to make new friends and contacts, but there is such a thing as being too involved. If you get to joining too many clubs and activities, you will end up stretching yourself thin with promises to be involved with the groups and also trying to find time to do homework, go to classes, get sleep, and eat food.
5. Last tip: Don’t be so stressed! Take a break from studying from tests. Take an afternoon off from being involved in groups and activities with friends for some you time. You need some downtime to get your thoughts collected or you will feel like you’re going insane with all the things you have to do; read a good book or take a walk and get some fresh air. If you don’t get your mind calmed down, then you will end up reading the same sentences over and over again in your textbook or wasting time trying to think about a topic to write your papers on. Taking some downtime will refresh your mind and help you think clearer. You may even get that idea you’ve been sitting at your desk for hours thinking about!
Edited by Reagan Greenwood