Organising my life at university

The importance of organisation not only reduces stress levels, but it also helps save time, sets up for success, and allows one to enjoy a clutter-free zone both physically and mentally.

Here is my reflection of how I stay organised while I’m at university.

1. Calendar

If I had to give just one piece of productive advice for everyone to implement, it would be “use a calendar.”

Calendars free up so much space in my head. Instead of utilising post-it notes or scraps of paper in my wallet to remember appointments, classes, or due dates, I use a digital Google calendar that sends me reminders automatically.

Here are some key things I include:

1. My class schedules
2. Important due dates from my syllabi (exams, term papers, etc.)
3. Exercise times
4. Meetings with professors/tutors
5. Dorm/apartment move-in/move-out dates
6. My part-time work schedules
7. Payment deadlines (credit card, rent, any other important expenses)

2. Have a filing system

I create separate digital folders for each module on my laptop to store assignments, lecture notes, study guides, presentations, handouts and useful contact information. This is extremely valuable to have easy access when studying for an exam and safer in case the internet or university website goes down.

My recommendation is to have a dedicated Google Drive

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folder for each class.

3. To-Do List/Task Manager

While having a calendar is the bare minimum for being organised and keeping track of events, a to-do list is used to keep track of tasks.

My recommendation is that if you plan to use a digital system, you can set certain tasks to recur and then, as you think of new tasks, you can add them to your system.

4. Notes

Taking good notes is critical to understanding and remembering any lectures or presentations given by professors.

I use a digital system such as Evernote to keep my notes extra organised. With Evernote, I can create a different digital “Notebook” for each class and type my notes there. This enables me to review material much more easily.

5. Backpack

To make sure I bring everything to class, I pack my bag the night before. This help me avoids forgetting an assignment or book I need to bring to class.

In a nutshell:

• To keep track of activities, use Google Calendar (or another calendar tool)
• Use a to-do list method to keep track of tasks
• Digitise notes for easier review
• Keep physical and digital class materials organised using a three-ring binder and Google Drive
• Colourcode assignments and tasks by class
• Arrange tasks by level of difficulty
• Include estimated completion times to keep focused
• Highlight important assignments
• Break larger items into smaller chunks throughout the week
• Keep backpack clean and stocked with the materials needed to bring to class
• Set aside 30 minutes each week to reflect on the past week and make plans for the coming week
• Keep calm, even when deadlines begin to loom

The better organised you are, the calmer you’ll feel, and the calmer you feel, the more organised you will become.

Don’t let exam anxiety or terror about missing a deadline get the best of you – take a positive and logical approach to getting things done and you’re more likely to succeed.

So, this semester, go out and do something epic!