Announcement: Let's Get Organized!

No Author
2016-07-26T23:36:05-06:00

Early in the semester is the perfect time to help your students get organized this semester. Having a good system for managing notes, papers, and deadlines is important for a number of reasons. Often academic difficulties are related to lack of organization rather than lack of academic ability and it helps students avoid wasting time getting ready to do a task and allows for more time working on the task at hand.

So what exactly can you do to help?

1) TALK!

Talk to the student about what systems they currently use. If they work, awesome! Encourage the student to keep it up and help them make small modifications based on course specific needs. If it doesn’t work, do some detective work to find out why, then suggest some new strategies.

2) CALENDAR

All students should identify a means of keeping track of appointments, due dates, and important dates. Take a trip together to an office supply store to check out the different options. Some people work well with a monthly at-a-glance, others prefer a more detailed daily view. Point out the differences and how to use each type. Other students may prefer to use an electronic calendar that can be accessed from any electronic device like a smart phone or at the campus computer lab.

3) GET THE RIGHT SUPPLIES

Take a look at the syllabus for each class and check with the campus bookstore. Make sure the reading material is purchased (or rented). Some students will want a traditional textbook while others will prefer audio or ebooks. Also, identify a system to take notes and purchase notebooks or create a computerized note-taking system. In addition, discuss a paper management system. Notebooks with folders built in are a simple way to keep all course material better for some while other students may opt to eliminate paper (and clutter) and go with electronic records.

Calculators, recording devices, art supplies, etc. will vary by semester but don’t hesitate to pick these items up.

4) DEVELOP A ROUTINE & PROVIDE A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

We are creatures of habit so use that to your advantage. Help students develop habits that have a positive impact on their academic performance. Encourage students carve out a place to study and store their school materials. For example: school books/supplies always go back into the same bag, keys get hung on the hook by the door, the calendar gets reviewed every morning over breakfast and again before bed.

5) FOLLOW UP & CELEBRATE SUCCESSES

Check in regularly and offer praise as the student continues to develop his/her system of organization. Your support can help to make organizing a positive part of academic success.

Remember, your system of organization is not always best (my color coded notebooks would send some of you running for the hills!). It is important for the student to choose strategies they will actually use. It may take some experimentation, but keep trying, and don’t forget to listen to the student. Have a great semester!!!