Although the school week can be busy, it also has a natural rhythm to it, and this beat can be used to help organize yourself. Remember to include organizing your time, study area, locker and backpack for a successful school year.

ORGANIZE your Time

So you don’t become overwhelmed, break your day into blocks. Set up a task list like the one below. Divide up your time each day into the 5 categories listed and decide what you should accomplish during that particular time of day. Be sure you include your life priorities and be careful not to over-schedule!

  1. Before School
  2. During School
  3. After School
  4. Evening
  5. Bedtime

ORGANIZE your Home Study Area

  1. Make the study time and place as consistent as possible
  2. Start with a well lit, solid table with plenty of room to work
  3. No TV within viewing area
  4. Some supply favorites:

    5. - a variety of papers housed in a portable file with hanging folders for categorizing returned term papers. Save these until the end of the term or semester “just in case”
    - pens and pencils, stapler and paper clips
    - 3 hole punch
    - paper cutter or scissors
    - index cards
    - pencil sharpener

ORGANIZE Your Locker

Is your locker stuffed so full that every time you open it you get an avalanche of books, old papers, or long forgotten things you meant to take home? Here are some steps for organizing your school locker.

  1. Plan how much time it will take to organize – (up to an hour). Plan this time when the area isn’t flooded with people and you have time to concentrate on the task at hand.
  2. Take everything out. Organize these things into three piles:
  • Throw away
  • Take away – a pile for things that you want to take home or need to turn in
  • Put away – everything you are keeping in your locker

Sort these items into categories. Category options might be: books, clothes, personal products. *Hang clothing and your backpack from hooks. If your locker doesn’t have them, attach them yourself.

    3.  Place your books standing up, with the spines facing you.
    4.  Put anything dirty, such as shoes or sports equipment on the floor.
    5.  Use magnetic locker organizers to organize smaller items in your locker. Stick these to the back or side walls.
    6.  Finally: Personalize your locker. Make it yours.

ORGANIZE your Backpack

Realize that if many options confuse you, a backpack with few compartments will be a better fit. If you organize easily and remember the location of your items, then a backpack with many pockets might benefit you.

Organizing is about finding what you need when you need it.

Organizing can free your mind to focus on the important things. Once organized the beat of the drum is easier to hear and your life is easier to compose and direct.  Listen up … A new rhythm is set for this school year!