Staying organized is important for any student to be successful. Our recent survey highlights that a lack of organization is the leading barrier to student success.
For some, it’s an issue of getting started and for others, it’s difficult maintaining an organizational system. Organizational skills for students apply to any age. It’s never too late to practice organization in the classroom.
The key to a successful academic year lies in effective organization. Whether your upcoming lesson plans focus on how to teach organizational skills to students or you’re looking to share time management tips with students, we are offering up a few tried and true methods for planning ahead for a successful school year.
It may seem obvious, but sorting alleviates disorganization so that important papers and documents aren’t misplaced. Sorting schoolwork into binders and folders is a practical skill to teach students. This skill not only teaches students organization skills but also how to prioritize items.
As students keep their documents and school work organized by assigning a place for each item. A logical method is by assigning a folder for each subject or class. Have students use folders and binders as a designated place for tasks and school work, including:
High-priority assignments or information can be sorted into a separate folder in the front of a student’s binder for fast-approaching due dates.
Checklists are instrumental in helping disorganized students get their tasks in order. Preparing a checklist also demonstrates to students how to prioritize tasks.
For instance, you can provide checklists to students in elementary school so they can get familiar with deadlines and project details. Print out a checklist, so that the student has it available with them wherever they go. Older students can leverage project management tools for organizing checklists and practice assigning tasks to group members during projects.
Too many tasks on a to-do list can lead to students putting things off. Have students focus on getting a set number of tasks completed within a day, such as only working on four assignments at any given time. By organizing a concise list, students successfully complete their goals.
Being able to know when assignments are due is an important part of being organized. Teach students to stay organized by using a school planner. While it’s great to use calendars on smartphones, writing down deadlines actually increases retention.
A Psychology Science study found that writing with pen and paper helps to boost your memory more than writing via laptops. School planners also have a built-in benefit of a calendar that students can leverage to plan out projects and assignments.
A school planner calendar is a great resource for younger students. Parents can place their signatures to confirm that the child completed a homework assignment. This helps students to better manage their time and increases parent involvement and communication. Create space inside a planner where students organize handwritten notes, create project timelines, and structure lists.
A simple way to facilitate organizational skills for students is by using visual reminders. When you use visual reminders, students can easily identify what needs to be done. Stickers and color-coded labels remind students about an important deadline or project to complete.
Visual tools not only serve as reminders but as an easy way to maintain organization in and outside of the classroom. Try handing out color-coded labels to students at the beginning of the academic year, quarter, or semester. Students can adhere color-coded labels to folders and organize school work by subjects. Your students can then use a matching highlighter to indicate upcoming due dates.
Hold students accountable for developing their organizational skills by assigning them a buddy. In this routine, paired student “buddies” are responsible to remind one another about important deadlines.
Older students can also serve as accountability partners and help absent students tackle missed assignments.
When your work area is messy, it’s hard to focus. Thus, setting aside time on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to clean is essential for success.
Teach your students the importance of scheduling time to clean their workspace and compartments, such as their desks, backpacks, lockers, or cubbies. Jars and cups function as simple tools to hold pens, markers, or pencils. Whether you’re teaching elementary school students or college students, organizational skills are necessary for students of any age in order to be successful. With the right organizational skills, students can achieve their educational goals.
Here are our top 10 back-to-school organization hacks to ensure a smooth transition and a productive year ahead:
A clean, well-organized study area minimizes distractions and boosts productivity. Make sure to keep only essential items on your desk and use organizers for supplies to minimize visual clutter that can impact focus. Designate a specific area for homework and studying so that your brain becomes adjusted to routines that encourage focus. Stock the area with necessary supplies to avoid constant interruptions for missing items.
Establishing a consistent classroom routine can help reduce the chaos before school. Here are a few tips to plan at home and at school:
A custom academic planner is indispensable for tracking assignments, projects, and extracurricular activities. Choose a planner that fits your needs and personalize it to make it engaging. If you can’t find a planner that fits your needs, consider a custom school planner designed specifically with the needs of your school in mind.
Assign different colors for different subjects or activities in your planner. This visual aid helps quickly identify what’s on your schedule and helps you locate priorities faster. Color-coding a calendar is a simple yet effective way to organize your schedule visually. This technique helps you quickly identify different types of tasks and events, making it easier to manage your time. Here’s how to get started:
Color-coding your calendar can significantly enhance your time management skills, making it easier to balance various commitments and stay on top of your schedule.
Large assignments can be overwhelming. Break them into smaller tasks and spread them out over several days or weeks to make them more manageable. At the start of each week, outline your goals and tasks. This helps you stay focused and prioritize your workload.
There are numerous apps designed to assist with organization and time management. Find ones that complement your planner and enhance your productivity. Develop a filing system for your papers and assignments. Whether digital or physical, consistent organization ensures you can easily find what you need.
Periodically review your organization methods and adjust them as necessary. Flexibility is key to maintaining a system that works throughout the year. View your plan as a marathon, not a sprint. If you need to rest, adjust your pace, or adjust your priorities, you’re not taking a step backward, but rather readjusting your needs based on your current placement and where you want to finish.
A school planner is more than just a calendar—it’s a comprehensive tool for managing your academic life. Here’s how to maximize its potential:
Use your planner to create daily or weekly to-do lists, prioritizing tasks based on importance and deadlines. Write down assignments, test dates, and project deadlines as soon as you get them. This prevents last-minute surprises and helps you plan ahead.
At the start of each week, use your planner to outline your goals and schedule. This habit sets the tone for a productive week. Regularly check off completed tasks and review your progress. This not only gives a sense of accomplishment but also highlights areas needing attention.
Time blocking is a highly effective time management technique that involves dedicating specific blocks of time to particular tasks or activities. This method helps increase productivity by minimizing distractions and ensuring focused work periods. By allocating distinct time slots for tasks, you can:
Additionally, time blocking promotes a balanced schedule, allowing you to incorporate essential breaks and personal activities, which is crucial for maintaining overall well-being and preventing burnout. Ultimately, this structured approach enhances your ability to meet deadlines and achieve your goals efficiently.
Don’t forget to schedule extracurricular activities and personal time. Balancing academics with extracurriculars fosters time management skills and encourages a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Participation in such activities enhances college applications and resumes, demonstrating a student’s diverse talents and commitment beyond academics, but it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the desire to accomplish as much as possible in order to make the most of opportunities. By including extracurricular activities in their schedules, students can ensure they are nurturing both their academic and personal growth, leading to a more fulfilling and enriching school experience.
Sports and arts or clubs and volunteer work provide valuable opportunities for students to explore interests, develop new skills, and build a sense of community, but it’s easy to become overwhelmed if priorities are not managed effectively. Learning how to balance academics with hobbies and rest is crucial for overall well-being.
Reflecting at the end of each week and planning priorities for the next is a powerful habit that can enhance your productivity and ensure continuous improvement. Here’s how to do it effectively:
Regular reflection and planning not only enhance your time management skills but also help you stay focused, motivated, and on track toward achieving your goals.
Effective time management is a cornerstone of academic success. Here are some tips to help students make the most of their time:
Define what you want to achieve each day, week, and month. Clear goals provide direction and motivation. Start by listing your long-term objectives and break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. Daily goals keep you focused on immediate tasks, while weekly and monthly goals help you track progress towards larger achievements.
Focus on completing high-priority tasks first. As we mentioned above, using the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks based on urgency and importance. This method helps you determine which tasks need immediate attention and which can be scheduled for later. By prioritizing effectively, you can ensure that critical assignments are completed on time and avoid last-minute stress.
Concentrate on one task at a time. Multitasking can reduce the quality of your work and increase the time needed to complete tasks. Focused, uninterrupted work sessions are more productive and efficient. Consider using the Pomodoro technique. Set a timer for a specific duration, work on a single task, and then take a short break before moving on to the next one. Tools for using this type of time duration method include:
Identify and minimize distractions in your study environment. This might mean turning off your phone, finding a quiet space, or using apps to block distracting websites. Create a dedicated study area free from interruptions, and let others know your study schedule to minimize disturbances. Reducing distractions helps maintain focus and enhances the quality of your work.
Keeping your materials and schedule organized saves time and reduces stress. A custom academic planner can help maintain this organization. Use your planner to track assignments, deadlines, and appointments. Organize your study space with necessary supplies and keep digital files sorted into clearly labeled folders for easy access.
Set achievable goals and allow sufficient time for each task. Overloading your schedule can lead to frustration and burnout. Be honest with yourself about how long tasks will take and avoid cramming too many activities into one day. Don’t forget to factor in time for unforeseen events and breaks to ensure a balanced and manageable schedule.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help from teachers, parents, or peers if you’re struggling with time management or specific subjects. Utilize resources like tutoring centers, study groups, or online study forums; seeking assistance can provide new perspectives, clarify doubts, and improve your understanding of challenging topics.
Reviewing your schedule weekly is a critical practice that ensures you stay organized, manage your time effectively, and remain on track to achieve your goals. Here’s how to conduct an effective weekly review:
Ensure you get enough sleep, exercise, and leisure time. A well-rested and healthy mind is more productive and efficient. Balance your academic responsibilities with activities that promote physical and mental well-being. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and hobbies can reduce stress and boost your overall performance.
Incorporating these tips and utilizing a custom school planner can transform your academic experience. By staying organized and managing your time effectively, you’ll set yourself up for a successful school year. Happy planning!
