Keeping your school and home life organized can be a daunting task to some, but it does not always have to be such a hassle. Beginning and maintaining organization is not a sprint, but a marathon. If you try and rush into it and organize all of your activities, you will be overwhelmed. Here are a few tips to help you get organized this spring.

1. Keep your calendar in more than one place

Keeping two calendars helps to cement dates for you to remember because you will see your schedule more often. You could keep one in your phone, and another one in your planner, bedroom, kitchen, etc.

2. Clean out your locker

Your locker is important as it holds your belongings and school supplies. With a messy locker, you may forget to bring home a notebook or textbook you needed to study. Keeping an organized locker is a simple first step to maximizing your potential.

3. Straighten up your homework area

Whether you do homework on a desk, the kitchen table, or the living room, it is important to tidy it up from time to time. This can be as easy as putting away dirty cups, throwing away empty water bottles, or putting away distractions. Cleaning the space where you study and complete school work puts your mind in a place to become more focused on your tasks.

4. Go over your notes when you get home

After taking notes it is tempting for most to put them away and not bring them out again until the night before the test. However, there is a lot of information that can be lost that way. Reviewing your notes within a day after taking them can make you think critically about the material. You could even start by checking for spelling errors. Next, mark parts that weren’t clear or add missing information to help you grasp the material.

5. Give yourself homework or study breaks

Trying to complete homework assignments all at once can be stressful. Studying or working for 15-20 minutes with a 5 minute break can help you refresh and keep from cramming or having to reread paragraphs. You could also adjust this method as you see fit. Short breaks give your brain a moment to recharge and help jump right back into your work.

6. Start a routine

Starting routines and good habits are tasks from which everyone can benefit. After all, most people brush their teeth two times a day, or go to bed at a certain time every night. For example, if you start organizing your desk every Tuesday, it will soon be second nature to you, and you will have a clean space to work. Holding on to good habits will make you successful in the future.

7. Find what works for you!

Do not be discouraged if your organization plan does not bring you the results you want right away. Everyone has different needs and wants when it comes to controlling his or her use of time. Find what suits you best, stick to it, and do not be afraid to change a habit if it does not work any longer.