By: Emma Thompson
Having trouble staying organized? Don’t worry! The Ohio State University offers many resources to help students develop organizational skills and time management strategies.
Being able to stay organized throughout the semester can make a huge difference in managing time, reducing stress, and being the best student for yourself.
Here are some statistics demonstrating the impact organizations have on study habits and mental health:
- According to a study by the American Psychological Association (APA), students who implement time management and organizational strategies are 30% more likely to achieve higher academic success compared to their peers who do not have structured study habits.
- A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that students who actively organized their study schedules and maintained to-do lists reported lower levels of academic-related stress by 35%.
- According to research from the University of California, students who use organizational tools, such as planners or task lists, report a 23% increase in overall mental clarity and a 15% decrease in feelings of overwhelm during high-stress periods like finals week.
If you aren’t sure what tools and resources to use for this semester, don’t stress. Below are four key steps to stay organized and take on the semester.
Tip #1: Set clear goals for the semester.
Before you start doing anything, you need to discover what goal you are trying to reach for the end of the semester.
If you are having a rough time figuring out first what your goals are that you want to accomplish, OSU can help you figure out where to start. OSU is here to remind students of all the free resources and tools the university has to offer. This includes counseling services, tutoring centers, and writing labs that can assist in organizing, managing time, and stress.
OSU offers a 3-credit course program to help bring students to their academic success. This course allows students to develop learning strategies, motivation, organization, time management, and many more skills. This could be of good use for students who need the time before becoming the successful goal-oriented student we know you can be.
Overall, a great way to understand yourself and what you want to accomplish for the semester is to download a goal-setting template from the OSU website that helps you organize and reach your goals.
Tip #2: Utilize Time Management Tools
Before the week starts, I get out my iPad and plan out each day. This way, I know when I am available to do my homework, hang out with friends, workout, grocery shop, etc. This is by far my favorite method to tackle organization.
If you aren’t sure how to determine your next step or your activities for the week, OSU shares a time management on-demand workshop. This workshop teaches students how to identify your next task and discover the “why” associated with your activities for the semester.
Tip #3: Frequently Review Your To-Do List
The struggle of being a college student isn’t just having a million things to do at once; new things and changes are always popping up. This can make it very difficult to handle and organize your schedule thoroughly.
I cannot stress enough how many times a day I check Carmen to make sure I am up to date with assignments. It is truly the most stressful thing when a professor adds new assignments and updates at the last minute, so be sure to stay on top of it!
I also like to utilize the Google Calendar to add specific tasks and events to my list. Not only does this tool help to organize tasks and events day to day, but it also sends notifications to your tablet or phone to remind you when something is due.
Tip #4: Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself
Most importantly, take care of yourself. If you aren’t able to let your mind rest, then how can you organize your life?
Organization is not only about keeping your schoolwork in check, but it is also about being able to understand how you can better and take care of yourself.
One app I like to use to help with self-care and organize is Habitica. This habit-tracking app shows visual progress to motivate students and help them stick to their routine. The app puts you in game mode, where you are able to play with others and receive rewards/prizes for completing tasks, changing bad habits, and scheduling out your calendar. This app is purely utilized for you to become healthy and happy.
Staying organized is essential not only for academic success but also for decreasing stress and improving mental well-being. By setting clear goals, using time management tools, and prioritizing self-care, students can take control of their schedule and make the most of college.