Organization is one of the most important things a student can learn. It is important that you start to be organized as soon as possible because it is key for the rest of your life. Your teachers expect you to be able to grab your materials quickly and quietly so that no time is wasted, but how are you supposed to do that when everything is all mixed up or missing? Future bosses will require you to be organized so work can be done and you can recieve your pay check. If you aren’t doing your job to your bosses expectations, don’t expect to keep that job much longer, as companies need people who can stay on task and remain organized.

The key to being organized is to keep everything where it is supposed to be so that you have easy access to whatever it is you need. This means putting all of your math homework in the math section or binder and not just jammed into your backpack. As tempting as it may be to just stuff everything into the nearest space, especially if the bell has rung, resist the urge. Try and put your papers in the correct place, and if you missed the opportunity, organize them at brunch, lunch, or at home.

The second most important thing to think about when trying to be organized is if you need a planner. A planner is important because you know when things are due and what is coming up in the week so there are no surprises. If you have trouble being organized you shouldn’t even have to think about if you need a planner or not. No one can keep everything in their head, especially for 6-7 classes! Even writing down what your homework is everyday on a peice of paper can help you be more organized. However, I recommend simply buying a cheap planner so that you don’t have to shuffle around your backpack for the paper and worry about losing it.

Don’t rely on SchoolLoop. Some teachers don’t always post homework and upcoming test dates on SchoolLoop, because it’s your responsibilty as a student to write down dates and homework. If you arent focused and just assume the teacher will remember important events for you, think again. As you move on in school, you’ll find that teachers remember for you less and less. This is just one more component of being organized; you’re responsible for yourself.

Imagine. You’re about to get started on your homework. You’ve had a long, stressful day, and just want to get this over with so you can enjoy some free time. You get out your binder and check your phone. When you log into SchoolLoop, you notice your teacher didn’t post the homework. Whether it was a mistake or on purpose, now you don’t know what you’re supposed to do for that class.

Don’t be that student who is singled out when they don’t have their homework after they were given time to write it down! It’s not a great feeling. Not only will your teachers be on your back about missing assignments and low test scores, but your parents will join in on the harassment as well, adding onto your stress and decreasing your weekend plans.

Having a friend or “study buddy” in class is always great! If you happen to miss the homework or a date, and your friend wrote it down, ask them what it was, and BOOM! You’re back on track! Going in after class or even after school is a good way to get down something you missed; and teachers will admire that you came in to sort the issue out. Doing so shows your teachers that you care about your education and finishing all your work.

You won’t be able to be organized without a big, well-made backpack. Getting a backpack that is both large enough to carry everything and comfortable can be challenging.  Remember that you may need to carry a textbook, so keep that in mind when shopping as a textbook is heavy and a cheap backpack will rip and tear from the weight. You might think that getting a big backpack is weird because of its large, bulky size, but it will help in the long run. Your backpack doesn’t define you, so don’t stress about it too much; just buy one that you feel will get your through the year! You will love having all your materials ready and having easy access to everything you need for school.

Being organized becomes easier once you make a daily plan for yourself to follow everyday, and important if you want to do well in school and in life. It might be difficult at first but after you become comfortable, stay organized longer, and really commit to keeping a tidy lifestyle, it will become a natural rhythm that you can keep up for the rest of your life.