It can be a struggle juggling school, work, and all the extra things we have going on in our lives. As the school year gets heavier with assignments, exams, etc., sometimes it feels you don’t have enough time in the day to get everything done. The busier your schedule gets, the more crazy life can get. Keeping your schedule and space organized can help you feel more on top of things. Here are tips for staying organized during the school year. 

Make A To-Do List

Take the week day-by-day and make a to-do list the night before. When you wake up, you’ll already know what you need to tackle that day. 

Also, schedule your goals beside each task. Write the time or day of the week you need to accomplish your goal and highlight the most important things to take care of. This will help you stay on track during the day and allow you to prioritize your time. It also feels very rewarding when you cross things off your list that you completed. 

Color Code Your Calendar

Whether you are using an actual calendar or an app, color-code everything from due dates to meetings. You’ll be able to distinguish tasks right away from their color. Assigning a color for each category on your calendar will help you stay organized on everything that is going on in your life. Color coding your calendar will also make your calendar more fun to look at. 

Time Management 

Break your goals down into steps so you don’t overwhelm yourself. For example, if you are trying to reach a certain grade on a test, your goal would be to spend more time studying, join a study group, or schedule a tutoring session. You could even ask the professor if he or she could give you practice tests to use while studying. Organize your notes and past assignments beforehand to save you time when you study. 

Write Reminders

Place reminders where you will be able to see them, whether they are on your laptop, phone, or fridge. Making a habit of writing down reminders will help you stay organized long-term. Writing down important dates, like exam dates or when an assignment is due from the syllabus will help motivate you to study and complete your next assignment. 

Get A Planner 

There are various styles of planners that can meet your needs to stay organized. Keeping track of your homework, tests and other notes from your classes will help you remember what you need to do and when things are due. I

Use An App

If you prefer to not write your to-do list on paper, some apps could be useful for you. Apps like Productive – Habit Tracker, PocketLife Calendar, and Wunderlist are free apps that can easily help you stay organized and on track of your homework and personal life. 

Organize Your Space

Keeping your room organized helps you feel more put together and you also worry less about cleaning. Having a clean and organized environment can help you stay focused on school work. If you study in your room, find a spot in your room that makes you more motivated to get things done. Doing homework or studying in bed can be distracting by making you too comfortable, so find a place in your room like your desk or futon that places you in a space of motivation.

Relax

Don’t burn yourself out. It doesn’t matter how busy you are, you need to make time to relax. Self-care is important, and taking the time to unwind from a busy schedule will let your mind take the rest it needs. You don’t have to relax for a long time, just take a couple of minutes to stretch if you’ve been sitting for a long time or take a snack break. However, you choose to spend your downtime, make sure you take the break your hardworking self deserves.  

Hopefully, these tips can help you and get you through the rest of the school year as stress-free as possible.