In college, one of the greatest challenges new and returning students struggle with is staying organized and keeping track of responsibilities.
As NIU transitions into a new semester and students return to wielding pencil and paper – or laptops – maintaining good organization and being aware of any and all responsibilities and important events is vital for success.
The first and most critical step for students to remain organized is to take note of any and all classes, important events and part or full-time jobs.
Obtaining and using planning devices such as calendars and planners can go a long way in helping to keep yourself on the right track.
“I like to organize things through, like, a Google Calendar to make sure I have all my classes in order, and that also gives me a 30-minute reminder before I go to each class,” said Caroline McCormick, a first-year economics major. “I also love to keep things in Google Drive, like all of the syllabuses the teachers give us.”
It is also important to schedule classes and work hours so they don’t overlap with each other or other important events.
Keeping up with the trials and tribulations of homework, essays and exams can be quite the challenge at first; however, once you get into the nitty-gritty details of work and classes and find a good rhythm, your recurring schedule will become second nature.
Campus grounds can be a little intimidating at first glance and as such it is best to explore and learn the area as much as possible so navigating it becomes trivial and you won’t need to put too much thought into what direction to go.
Having an understanding of where classes, favorite restaurants, critical resources and potential jobs are, as well as knowing the best route to each of them, can make a huge difference.
It can be tricky and more than a little taxing balancing part-time or full-time jobs with classes and other extracurricular activities. As such, it is important to schedule out and allow yourself ample time to rest and enjoy the things you like doing in your spare time.
As you dive deeper and deeper into the semester, there will be less time available to meet with friends and loved ones. When planning a meeting with friends, it is important to take into account everyone’s schedules and where you will be meeting.
There may be hiccups and days where you can’t make it to get-togethers, so always make sure to let your friends know as soon as you can whether you’ll be there.
If your schedule is particularly busy, you might want to fit in small hangouts with friends while you’re going about your day.
“Walking back to classes with each other, or like taking the bus together, and just finding time with meals or times after activities,” McCormick said.
The same can be said for hanging out with family members or significant others.
These are some of the most important relationships you will have in your life, and they should be given the proper attention and care so they can thrive in the future – make sure you are planning and setting aside time to see them.
College is drastically different from high school in the sense that students have more freedom and more responsibility. As such, a great deal of planning, foresight and commitment are necessary for a successful and entertaining college life.
It may seem terrifying at first glance to live on your own and have way more things to worry about than in high school. But once you find the rhythm and formula to success, you’ll find that college can be quite an amazing experience and one that will never be forgotten.
