Developing good organizational skills is a key ingredient for success in school and in life. Although some people are by nature more organized than others, anyone can put routines and systems in place to help a student "get it together." This list of strategies excerpted from Family Education has been modified for our needs. Students should be able to use it to help you get — and keep — your life under control.
1. Use checklists. Get into the habit of keeping a "to-do" list. Use checklists to post assignments, household chores, and reminders about what materials to bring to class. Students should use the assignments listed in the WAG to stay on task. Crossing completed items off the list will give you a sense of accomplishment.
2. Organize homework assignments.Before beginning a homework session, number assignments in the order in which they should be done. Start with one that's not too long or difficult, but avoid saving the longest or hardest assignments for last.
3. Designate a study space.You should study in the same place every night. This doesn't have to be a bedroom, but it should be a quiet place with few distractions. All school supplies and materials should be nearby. A parent can work nearby to monitor your progress and encourage good study habits.
4. Set a designated study time Tuesday thru Friday. A student should know that a certain time every day is always reserved for studying and doing homework. The best time to begin is right after breakfast; sleeping in too late sets up poor work habits that extend beyond academics. If students approach their schoolwork as an important "job," they will wake up and "go to work" Students and parents should collaborate to write down a schedule that also includes quick breaks and lunch.
5. Keep organized notebooks. Students should keep track of papers by organizing them in a binder or notebook. This will help you review the material for each seminar and organize the material later to prepare for tests and quizzes. Use dividers to separate class notes, or color-code notebooks. Separate "to do" and "done" folders help organize worksheets, notices, and items to be signed by parents, as well as provide a central place to store completed assignments.
6. Conduct a weekly cleanup. Students should sort through book bags and notebooks on a weekly basis. Old tests and papers should be organized and kept in a separate file at home.
7. Create a household schedule.Try to establish and stick to a regular dinnertime and a regular bedtime. This proven method of scheduling helps the student fall into a pattern at home. Students with a regular bedtime approach their classes and homework from a well-rested perspective. Limiting television-watching and computer play to specific periods of time during the day helps the student stay on task, as well.
8. Keep a master calendar.Keep a large, wall-sized calendar for the household, listing the family's commitments, schedules for extracurricular activities, days off from school, and major events at home and at school. Note dates when you have big exams or due dates for projects. This will help family members keep track of each other's activities and avoid scheduling conflicts.
9. Prepare for the day ahead.Before you go to bed on Sunday, pack schoolwork and books in a book bag. The next day's clothes should be laid out with shoes, socks, and accessories. This will cut down on morning confusion and allow you to prepare quickly for the day ahead.
10. Parents: Provide needed support while their student is learning to become more organized. Help your student develop organizational skills by photocopying checklists and schedules and taping them to the refrigerator. Gently remind him/her about filling in calendar dates and keeping papers and materials organized. Most importantly, set a good example. :)
1. Use checklists. Get into the habit of keeping a "to-do" list. Use checklists to post assignments, household chores, and reminders about what materials to bring to class. Students should use the assignments listed in the WAG to stay on task. Crossing completed items off the list will give you a sense of accomplishment.
2. Organize homework assignments.Before beginning a homework session, number assignments in the order in which they should be done. Start with one that's not too long or difficult, but avoid saving the longest or hardest assignments for last.
3. Designate a study space.You should study in the same place every night. This doesn't have to be a bedroom, but it should be a quiet place with few distractions. All school supplies and materials should be nearby. A parent can work nearby to monitor your progress and encourage good study habits.
4. Set a designated study time Tuesday thru Friday. A student should know that a certain time every day is always reserved for studying and doing homework. The best time to begin is right after breakfast; sleeping in too late sets up poor work habits that extend beyond academics. If students approach their schoolwork as an important "job," they will wake up and "go to work" Students and parents should collaborate to write down a schedule that also includes quick breaks and lunch.
5. Keep organized notebooks. Students should keep track of papers by organizing them in a binder or notebook. This will help you review the material for each seminar and organize the material later to prepare for tests and quizzes. Use dividers to separate class notes, or color-code notebooks. Separate "to do" and "done" folders help organize worksheets, notices, and items to be signed by parents, as well as provide a central place to store completed assignments.
6. Conduct a weekly cleanup. Students should sort through book bags and notebooks on a weekly basis. Old tests and papers should be organized and kept in a separate file at home.
7. Create a household schedule.Try to establish and stick to a regular dinnertime and a regular bedtime. This proven method of scheduling helps the student fall into a pattern at home. Students with a regular bedtime approach their classes and homework from a well-rested perspective. Limiting television-watching and computer play to specific periods of time during the day helps the student stay on task, as well.
8. Keep a master calendar.Keep a large, wall-sized calendar for the household, listing the family's commitments, schedules for extracurricular activities, days off from school, and major events at home and at school. Note dates when you have big exams or due dates for projects. This will help family members keep track of each other's activities and avoid scheduling conflicts.
9. Prepare for the day ahead.Before you go to bed on Sunday, pack schoolwork and books in a book bag. The next day's clothes should be laid out with shoes, socks, and accessories. This will cut down on morning confusion and allow you to prepare quickly for the day ahead.
10. Parents: Provide needed support while their student is learning to become more organized. Help your student develop organizational skills by photocopying checklists and schedules and taping them to the refrigerator. Gently remind him/her about filling in calendar dates and keeping papers and materials organized. Most importantly, set a good example. :)
