Having an Organization System

This being my third year as an undergraduate student at Ashland, my biggest piece of advice for all new and returning students is to be as organized as possible. I am a very organized person, so all my classes are color coded, my notebooks are nice and tidy, and my room is always clean so I don’t feel overwhelmed when I go to my room to relax. Now, being the organized person that I am, I wanted to offer some tips for those who could use some help!

The first day of the semester is always a favorite because it is syllabus day, but the importance of the day is that the professor’s hand you their guide on how to succeed in the class. So, here are some tips to help you get organized right away:

• Have a planner to write down assignments and key due dates for the week and weeks to come.
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• Use Google Calendar to keep track of assignments/classes. It’s nice to have it available on your phone and it sends reminders!
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• Color code your classes and course work to keep all things organized and tidy.
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• Have separate notebooks for classes so notes stay apart from one another to avoid confusion.
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• Keep a clean and neat room so when you are overwhelmed, your room is a place for relaxation.
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• Do not do homework or school work in your dorm room, find another place on campus to do that work. Your room is meant to be stress free!

These are just a few tips to be organized and to stay on top of things. I also recommend reaching out to your professors and asking for help. They are all very helpful and love it when students reach out - so be sure to use those resources! I personally have found all of these tips and resources to be extremely helpful throughout my time at AU. I have been able to stay on top of all of my assignments thanks to being organized. It has helped me be as successful as I can be and shows me I can still have free time and enjoy my years at college too!

- Shila