Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 5: Have the right school supplies at hand
• Method 2 of 5: Take orderly notes
• Method 3 of 5: Prepare everything the night before
• Method 4 of 5: Create reminders
• Method 5 of 5: Laying the right foundation
• Tips
• Necessities

Do you often seem like the only one who did not receive the assignment for the lesson? Do you want to stress less about schoolwork? With the right supplies, preparation and reminders you can organize all the work well. With a few organization tips and some practice, you will be prepared for everything you can expect from school!

To step

Method 1 of 5: Have the right school supplies at hand

1. Get your pencil case in order. Believe it or not, your pencil case is an essential part of a well-organized student. The more organized your pencil case, the less time you spend digging for a pen or pencil, and the more time you have to take notes and listen to your teacher. Buy a pencil case with several compartments so that you can store everything in the right place.
   • Make sure you have at least three pencils, three pens, an eraser, and a highlighter in your case. Depending on how you like to take notes, you can also store different colored pens and markers or sticky notes in your pencil case.
2. Divide your work into different colored folders or binder. It is useful to have a binder or folder for each subject so that your papers do not get mixed up. Use different colors for each subject and label them.
3. Label different sections in the folder. Use colored tabs so you can separate your graded papers from distributed materials and your homework. This way you know exactly where you have stored your homework, when you have to turn it in. Separating your notes also helps keep them in chronological order and makes it easier to review them at a later date!
4. Know where your things are. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to organize your school bag - most importantly, you know where everything is. Store things in the same place and put them back in your school bag as soon as you are done with them. Even when the bell rings and you want to get out of class as quickly as possible, those few extra seconds to put your things in the right place will help you find them again!
5. Buy any additional items you need. Much of being organized is being prepared. If you find yourself running out of paper, pencils, or anything else, buy more or ask your parents to stock up on school supplies. In any case, put everything in your pencil case or backpack as soon as you get the things, so that you don't forget to take them to school!
   • Always make sure your backpack is stocked with enough pencils, pens, and paper, and that they are easy to find. The time you spend looking for or asking for these things is time you can't spend in class!

Method 2 of 5: Take orderly notes

1. Keep your notes simple and effective. Stick to keywords and short phrases that are easy to write down. Use a highlighter for the most important parts. Listen to the teacher and write the lesson in your own words, instead of copying everything verbatim. This will help you learn the material while taking notes!
2. Attempted Cornell Method for taking more orderly notes. The Cornell method goes like this: draw a horizontal line about 6 lines from the bottom of your lined paper. Then draw a vertical line about 2 cm from the left margin. This will give you a total of three subjects. Use the vertical left box for key points, the larger right box for more general notes and the bottom horizontal box after class for review, clarification and summary.
   • If you are learning for a test, read the bottom horizontal box first and then refer to the other two boxes if you need more information.
   • The Cornell Note Taking Method may be the right method for you if you are following something like history where there are a lot of important points and specific details to note.
3. Practice making a mind map. For a mind map you need a blank piece of paper instead of lined paper. Mind maps use circles to connect individual keywords. The advantages of taking notes with Mind Maps is that you can easily see at a glance the relationship and connections between two ideas.
   • If you find taking notes boring, try a mind map because it's a lot more creative!
   • Mind maps can be effective for topics such as English literature, where a main topic (for example, a book) has a number of important characteristics (for example, characters, themes, plot points, etc.).
4. Use the Smart Wisdom method for taking notes. If you find it difficult to write linear notes, or can't find the important information as you go through your notes, try the Smart Wisdom method, which sequences core concepts and cuts out unimportant words. With the Smart Wisdom method, the most important words are on the page, while other, unnecessary words are left out.
   • The Smart Wisdom method can be useful for topics such as math or physics where you have little time to write down what a formula does or why it is important.

Method 3 of 5: Prepare everything the night before

1. At the end of each day, throw out what you no longer need. Make sure to throw out any trash or unnecessary papers that have accumulated in your backpack. If you've gotten your graded work back and your backpack is getting heavier, find a place in your desk at home.
2. Make sure your school bag is packed the night before. After you've done all your homework, put everything you need for the next day back in your school bag. Put your school bag somewhere you can't forget it, such as by the door or on top of your shoes.
   • By packing your backpack the night before, you won't have to worry about having everything the next morning, and you're less likely to forget anything!
3. Prepare clothes or food the night before. If you usually spend a lot of time in the mornings worrying about what to wear, decide on that the night before and get them ready. Likewise, you can save a lot of time preparing breakfast or lunch by doing it the night before.
   • An easy school outfit is simple jeans and a T-shirt. If you live somewhere cold, don't forget to put on a jacket!
   • A simple, healthy breakfast is, for example, a hard-boiled egg, some sandwiches and milk or juice, where you can already boil the egg the night before.
   • If you're bringing a packed lunch to school, make your sandwich the night before!
4. Put things you need to remember for the next day in a visible place. Stick a note on your bathroom mirror, lunch box, or door so you can be sure to see the reminder the next morning. Or if you want to remember something physical, put what you shouldn't forget on your shoes, as you can't leave the house without putting them on!

Method 4 of 5: Create reminders

1. Use an agenda. Practice using your planner every day by writing your homework, tests or meeting dates from your club in it. Check your calendar before you leave school so that you take home everything you need for your homework. If you want, you can also organize your calendar by subject by color to make it easier to use.
   • If you can't find a calendar you like, make your own.
2. Put the date on each paper. As soon as you start taking notes or get an assignment, put the due date on the top of the paper and copy that date into your calendar. Make sure you can see it every time you pick up the papers so you know when to turn in the essay or assignment.
3. Get ahead of your responsibilities. Start your work and projects as soon as you know what they are. Work on your projects a little bit every day and don't wait until the last minute to get started. If you work on it every day you will not be faced with any surprises in terms of how long the project will take and you will be fully prepared to get it done on time.

Method 5 of 5: Laying the right foundation

1. Keep your desk tidy. Tidy up your desk regularly so you can easily find what you need. If you have a locker at school, consider adding an extra shelf so that you have two layers to store books, extra papers or school supplies and other things. If you have a desk, tidy it up regularly so that you can always find what you need.
2. Provide a well-organized study area at home. Create a place for your pens and pencils, your textbooks, your homework, and extra materials to avoid clutter. Only use this space for studying so that it is a place for concentration and work. Free your desk from all distractions and try to study in the quietest possible room.
   • If you can't find a quiet place to work, put on headphones and listen to music that allows you to study, such as classical or jazz.
   • If you have to share a desk with others or don't have a lot of space, keep your documents organized and stacked, then spread them out when you actually need them.
3. Make a schedule. Make sure to put everything in your schedule and stick to it. In the beginning, it can also be helpful to plan things like homework time, dinner, and even showers. This way you can make sure you are able to do whatever you need to do.
4. Stick to your schedule every day. It can be difficult to stick to your schedule at first, but once you've done it for a few weeks it will feel a lot natural. A schedule will not only help you remember when to do things, but also help you keep your life organized and slow down or avoid stress.
5. Think of organization as a lifestyle, not a chore. Being organized is not something you can do once and then stop for a while, but it is something you should practice on a daily basis. With a little work every day, you can easily keep your life organized.

Tips

• Keep your pencil case organized by categorizing items and tying them together, such as putting pencils in one group and pens in another group.
• A good way to get organized when cleaning up your locker and school bag is to create a stack of "Trash" and a stack of "Keep". If you share a locker, you can print it out and give it to your fellow user of the locker.
• Do not leave notes or papers in your books, even if it is only "temporary". You risk losing them otherwise!
• If the school year has just started, wait a few weeks before buying new school supplies so that you don't buy binders that are too big / small, or loose papers while you need a spiral binder, etc.
• Don't expect to be completely organized all at once! It takes time, so be patient with yourself and have confidence that you will benefit from it quickly.
• Keep all your notes on one topic together so you can quickly review them when it's time for a quiz!

Necessities

• Pencil case
• Files
• Pencils
• Pens
• Scriptures
• Paper
• Highlighters
• agenda
• Sticky Notes