Need Just One College Tip? Get Organized

in college life by Margo Smith — June 15, 2010 at 8:02 am | 0 comments

There are so many things to check off your to-do list when you get ready to go off to college. Once you are accepted, you need to find housing, pack up what will fit in a dorm room, buy books and hope your first roommates aren’t psycho.

1) Set Goals – these will help you focus and refocus on this great experience that you’ll refer to as your college years. Make the goals small enough to reach but big enough to help you grow. You want to gain the most from this time, so make a plan and readjust it as needed.

2) KISS – no – it’s not what you think. This is an acronym for Keep It Simple, Student. Don’t try to pack your  entire room as you get ready for your adventure at college. You will most likely share a room, and it will be small. Don’t take too much. Pack just the things you know you will really use day to day away from home.

3) Organize Your Schedule – meet with a counselor at high school and schedule an appointment with a college counselor too. These people know the ropes that you are trying to learn. Let them give you advice on what classes to choose, what major to pick and all the general tips they have to offer to make your first semester go more smoothly.

4) Set Aside Time to Keep Up on Re-organization – Most people who are organized don’t stay that way 100% of the time. They stay on top of things because they take time to clean up and clear out. Set aside a few minutes each day or each week – whatever works best for you – to go through everything. Tidy up your backpack, your school folders and assignments, your clothes shoes and more. These few minutes will save you hours of time trying to figure out if that important Chem 101 book is in on your desk in a neat pile or buried under your bed.

5) Clean Out Your Clothes Closet – You want to look like a college student now so get rid of all that little kid and junior high stuff. Give away all the clothes you feel won’t be suitable for the new state you may be moving to. There is no sense taking a winter coat if you are moving from Minnesota to a school in Florida. Have plenty of the standards on hand – jeans, t-shirts and so forth.

6) Once you get to school – Establish a Routine. You have a lot more freedom in college than in high school, and if you want to make the most of your time, get yourself into a pattern. You’ll have to tweak your schedule each semester as your class times and demands change, but if you have good habits of getting your exercise and study time in then you will be able to meet the new demands of more challenging classes while still having time for a social life.

Overwhelmed by thoughts of moving away to school? Look into the benefits of Online Education that will let you get your degree without leaving home.

Tags: Education school