As the new school year begins, it is essential to have all necessary materials in order to maintain an organized space and mindset. Organization is the key to having a successful school year; however, the tools to use to do so are a personal preference. For the upcoming year, it is crucial to stay on top of work in an orderly manner, here is a guide that explains just how to do so.
With JDS’s unique A, B, C rotation schedule, giving handout work its own designated spot based on the period has always worked for me. For classes with a heavier workload, using a binder instead of a folder will provide room for all paperwork without confusing it with another subject. Additionally, folder dividers can be used within binders to combine smaller classes with less paperwork into one binder. Another alternative is using an accordion folder, which stores all papers in one place with dividers for each subject.
For me, color-coding classes with binders makes organization much easier. Using a colored binder with matching folder dividers and a notebook inside creates an aesthetically pleasing setup that helps the brain associate each class with a color. According to Psychology Today, colors increase visual memory, and emotions correspond to specific colors. Additionally, my online calendar classes correspond to the same color as my binder and work inside.
Having a physical or online planner makes keeping track of work and events much easier by reminding students when assignments are due. It is also helpful to have all this information in one place to avoid forgetting assignments.
Using an online calendar is customizable to one’s needs, and one can structure it in whatever way works best. Many different websites are easy to learn how to use, such as Google Calendar, Notion, and ClickUp, which are just a few of the many accessible, free online calendars. The customizable aspect of online calendars is motivating, especially after decorating them to one’s liking. By making to-do lists, users can motivate themselves to tackle future tasks once the current work is done.
There are many options for paper planners, but no matter the type, physically writing down information helps our brains remember it better based on muscle memory. According to Scientific American, handwriting causes you to consolidate and prioritize information based on importance, while also spreading across multiple brain regions. With JDS’s no-phone policy, having a paper planner is easily accessible during times of the day when laptops are not available.
This year, JDS began to provide planners to students that are explicitly outlined for JDS’s schedule. In the planner, each month is broken down into weeks, and each day is designated as either an A, B, or C day, allowing students to keep track of their work assignments for each day. Introducing planners to students makes organization much easier, especially for those who did not have planners before or for those whose planners weren’t organized to their preference.
Learning Specialist and sophomore dean, Brett Kugler, believes that starting the school year organized is extremely helpful because it sets students up for success throughout the year. His go-to advice for students is to create a Google Drive organized by school year, classes and individual units and assignments. However, when it comes to planning and physical organization, Kugler does not suggest one method in particular.
“I really encourage people to think about a system that works for them, try different things and then figure out what makes the most sense for you and go with that,” Kugler said. “You can always adapt along the way.”
Staying organized throughout the year helps with time management and reduces stress. To start the new school year strongly, maintaining organization is essential, especially with a heavy workload. With the right tools and resources, staying organized is both simple and effective, while also being a crucial skill to use for the upcoming school year.
