The Academic Benefits of Organization
Working backward & the weekly schedule organizer
Often in life, we are caught off-guard because we “forgot” to do something or to be somewhere. At first, we’re embarrassed. If only we had taken a moment to plan ahead, we could’ve avoided not only the current shame we’re feeling but all the upcoming consequences as well.
Making mistakes is part of being human. To be exceptional in any area of life, we need to learn from and then work to minimize our mistakes. Fortunately, when it comes to academics, learning how to plan can be a simple remedy for overcoming the tendency to forget. The key is to be consistent in your practice and understand that by investing a little time each week in the planning exercise, you’ll be saving yourself additional time and stress in the long run. Below are a few of the basics to keep in mind as you get started.
First, make weekly planning a habit. Don’t allow yourself to do it one week and then skip it for the next couple of weeks. Resist the temptation to do it on Sunday this week and Thursday the next. Don’t permit yourself to map things out in a variety of notebooks that you’ll struggle to find when you need them most!
Instead, for the best results, designate a specific day (Sundays are ideal) and dedicate a specific notebook to record your plans. Gather your upcoming assignments for each class and figure out what your week will look like from a homework/exam/quiz/essay perspective. Block out each day, highlighting when you have major assignments due and what your other commitments you may have like (i.e. practice, rehearsal, appointments, etc.). Once you have that in place, you can start figuring out how much time you’ll have available to spend each day on your academics, and you can look for ways to do additional work on days when you have “extra” time. Think of it as though you’re borrowing time from other days when you will be busier.
Not only can this weekly exercise help you manage your assignments better, but it can also help you manage your stress level better, as well. Now, instead of worrying about what’s around the corner academically, you can move through the week with more confidence, knowing you’re prepared for what’s ahead in the classroom – and outside, too!
Organizing Folders and Notebooks
Aside from organizing your week, organizing your notebooks and folders is also a way to help ensure that you stay up to date with your assignments. Fight the urge to simply put your papers into random folders or to stuff them thoughtlessly into your backpack. Even when you feel rushed, telling yourself that you’ll sort things out when you get home ... stop! Take a moment and file your materials in their proper places because overtime “clutter has consequences.”
There’s significant research indicating that when our minds are in disarray, we become more anxious and less focused. Oftentimes, this leads to a drop in performance which can cause more stress – which makes it harder to focus (and the cycle continues). In some ways, our closets, desks, backpacks, folders, and notebooks operate similarly. The greater the disorder, the higher the likelihood for stress, mistakes, and the resulting underperformance.
You get the picture. The brief time you spend organizing on the front end can make a world of difference when it comes to how you feel and how much you achieve over the long haul. So slow down, organize your materials, and come out on top in the end!