College is super hectic and does not leave much time for things like organization. Here are five amazing ways to stay organized in college!
Organization is all about systems and routine. Implementing these systems at an early time in your life like your college years will help you for the rest of your life.
Your environment is a reflection of your inner world, and vice versa. Don’t neglect your space or your mindset just because college is a busy time!
Keep reading for the best tips and products that will ensure both your space and your mindset stay in order!
This post is all about the best ways to stay organized in college.
1. 12-Week Year
The 12-Week Year method is my absolute favorite method of getting my life organized. Setting goals on New Years Day for the rest of the year is what everyone is used to doing, but how many people actually accomplish those goals? Motivation and excitement to achieve certain things in the beginning of the year is bound to dwindle down as the months go by. That is why the 12-Week Year method is so effective.
To use this organization system, think of the entire calendar year shrunken down to three month increments. Begin by setting your yearly goals, but go on to break these larger goals down into four smaller goals. Then, come up with action steps that will help you achieve the first quarter of the goal within the three months. Here is an example:
Goal: Increase core strength and flexibility
Strategy 1: Purchase yoga membership
Strategy 2: Attend a yoga class 3x a week consistently
Strategy 3: Eat whole foods 80% of the time
Strategy 4: Attend soul cycle, other workout class, or go on walk once a week
Strategy 5: Increase water and tea intake
Check in with yourself each week to ensure the habits that are needed to complete these goals are being met. Your goals will be as organized as ever! Get ready for your life to transform after implementing this method.
2. Google Calendar
I am the type who loves planning, but having things written down in a million different places got super overwhelming. Google Calendar is the ultimate solution to getting your entire life and schedule organized in the most effective way possible.
Using time blocking to create your schedule is a foolproof path to success. Begin by writing down all of your timed and untimed priorities for the upcoming week. First, input the planned events into the weekly spread. Next, with all of the leftover time blocks, input specific time for you to complete the remaining priorities.
This tool ensures everything you need to do in a week gets done with ample time to spare. Further, Google Calendar allows you to record daily to dos so you can keep track of the little things as well!
3. Tidy In The Moment
When tackling the organization of your physical space, I believe it is all about disciplining yourself to keep up with tidying after yourself in the moment. It might seem simple, but the little extra efforts add up.
Make sure to never leave a shirt on the floor or dirty glass on the table. Put in the few extra minutes to put all of your things away before bed even if you’re super tired. Your future self will thank you.
Think about it in the sense of if everything has a designated spot, and you always ensure to put it back into that spot, how will you ever not be organized?
4. Weekly Declutter
Even when you ensure to tidy after yourself at all times, spaces build up with random stuff we really don’t need. Add thirty minutes into your Google Calendar every Sunday titled “Weekly Declutter.” Each week when this time rolls around, choose one area of your room. It could be a closet drawer, desk cabinet, or even something as small as your makeup bag.
Take this time to organize the items in this space while being mindful to donate or throw away anything you no longer use.
Implementing this weekly routine will effortlessly ensure that no part of your space ever gets too cluttered or disorganized!
5. Minimalism
One point I want to drive home is that instead of trying so hard to balance and organize all of these tasks and possessions, it might be a sign to step back and downsize. Getting rid of physical and mental baggage can be one of the most freeing things you do for yourself.
For your possessions, take one day per category of objects (e.g. clothes, makeup, shoes, etc.) and spend that day going through everything you own in that category. Be honest with yourself with what really brings you functionality and joy versus what you are just attached to.
For your mental space, really sit down and get clear with your priorities and desired mindset. The things we think about are equivalent to the food we put into our body. We have to be mindful of what we spend our time thinking about, because that is what will shape our reality. College is the perfect time to get clear on what you really care about and put that at the forefront of your mind.
