Get Organized

Amanda Peterson

Academic Success Coordinator

Get Organized

Apeterson@stanbridge.edu

space, time, for a clearer mind

Organize your belongings

Environments to AVOID

Time Management Tips

1 – Make sure you have adequate supplies

2- Have a folder for each subject with dividers for each topic. Within each topic, sort it into thing to learn and things to practice.

3 – File away all sheets, handouts, flash cards, etc. You don’t want to throw anything away because you may have to refer to this material later in your career.

• Bad timing; too sleepy/restless

• Extreme Temperature

• Clutter and Mess = CHAOS

• Poor lighting

• Learn to say "No!" to those who would interrupt your study periods.
• Use waiting time/ breaks to study notes, read your text, etc.
• Beware of perfectionism. Allow for flexibility.
• If you have been putting something off, decide to work on it for 10 minutes at a time.
• For projects that have a due date of 3 to 6 weeks later, it's easier to put in half an hour a week than to ruin the whole weekend just before it's due.
• Don't blow off the weekends! Getting all your work done during the week plus feeling comfortable with your study progression then allows the weekend to be yours.
• Make notes on easily portable cards (flash cards) or use your iphone or laptop.
• Remember a high school setting is different than college. The amount of time you spent in weekly study for high school academics will probably get you behind at Stanbridge. Adjust yourself to the faster pace.

• Trying to work with a significant other who is not taking the same classes as you are, or who does not feel like studying

• Studying in front of a TV

• Noise and distractions = procrastination

Use Technology

Ideal Environment:

Android:

Jorte

is a personal organizer app scheduler and to-do application that syncs with Google Calendar

Evernote

Use it to capture information from websites, store documents, save photos, type, record audio, and more.

Dropbox

Super useful for sharing large files, such as raw photos or PowerPoint presentations. An indispensable app to access your stuff online.

iProcrastinate ($2) or Reminder (free)

Create tasks and calendar reminders. A simple to-do list can help you gain momentum as you see your tasks checked off.

myHomework

Keep track of assignments, quiz and test dates, and set reminders.

iStudiez Lite

another iphone planner to track schedules, tests and assignements

Set aside a fixed place for studying and nothing but studying.

This area needs to be shaped in such a way that it becomes the best environment for studying.

It should be reasonably quiet and relatively free of distractions like radio, TV, and people.

Having a place that you can designate for studying and nothing else will help create an environment of habit where your instincts will focus on review. Then, whenever you sit down in that particular niche in the world, you'll feel like going right to work.

Look at it this way; when you come into a classroom, you sit down and go to work by paying attention to the instructor. Your attitude and attention and behavior are automatic because in the past, the room has been associated with attentive listening and not much else. If you can arrange the same kind of situation for the place where you study, will make it easier to sit down and start studying.

When Schedules Go Crazy

Remember that life happen....

• Don't panic. Try to remain calm and think rationally.
• Make a list of priorities. Separate out items that have to be completed from those that can wait.
• Try to "switch" or "rotate" things around so you can address your highest priorities.
• Don't sacrifice yourself to your schedule. Remember to eat, sleep and relax. Getting stressed out won't help your concentration or your performance.
• If need be, talk to your instructors and employers. Most people are reasonable during extraordinary times and will try to accommodate you.
• However, use this strategy sparingly. Otherwise, you might not be taken seriously.

Keep a Planner/Schedule of your life

How to use the time management worksheet

Identify obligated time:

• Fill in classes
• Work hours
• fill in time it take to get ready and travel between home, school and work
• Fill in meal times and food prep time.
• Establish a set time to go to sleep and get up.

Identify free time:

• Assign time to study for each class.
• Allow 2-4 hours for each hour in class per week.
• Try to study for classes on the days they meet.
• Use large blocks of time for major tasks, and smaller blocks for review.
• Schedule regular breaks! & Reward
• Schedule FUN events; recreation, TV, visiting friends and family

Analyze your situation:

• Have you found hidden time?
• Is there enough time available to study for ALL your classes?
• If your schedule looks reasonable STICK TO IT!
• If your Schedule cannot accommodate all the demands on your time,

My life for now: