College Planner Tips and Tricks
As spring semester begins, so too does the countdown for college graduation. Taking a nostalgic look back on my years as an undergraduate, I find myself wondering how I managed to juggle everything.
The simple answer is a completely obsessive fascination with my planner and iPhone calendar. Without either of these tools my chaotic schedules would have completely consumed me.
Now that's not to say I wasn't stressed from time to time, but with the proper organizational habits I vehemently believe anyone can increase their levels of productivity.
While today's post isn't necessarily about brush lettering, I believe it can be categorized under design. Finding an organizational regiment that works for you can be difficult if you're unsure of where to start. Therefore I've provided some planner tips to hopefully help you on your way:
1. Color Code Everything
I'm not saying you have to color code everything like Leslie Knope. In fact, that may be just as overwhelming for some as not having any color coding at all. Yet, having some color to differentiate classes, projects, and assignments may help you prioritize deadlines.
For example, I begin by choosing a color for each of my classes and extracurriculars. Due to the fact I detest crossing items out in my planner, I like to use Pilot Frixion Erasable Pens (yes! these actually work!).
Although an entirely viable option, I don't use them for my every day homework assignments. Instead I employ them for long-term projects, tests, presentations and meetings. This helps me plan in advance how to divide my time.
2. Start with Big Events and then Small Events
When you color code in your planner it's important to take it a step at a time. For example, choose one of your classes and write down the deadlines you wish to emphasize in your chosen color all the way through to the end of the semester. Then complete these same steps for your other classes.
Then add in the your next events such as meetings, gym workouts, job schedules, and lunch with friends. By completing these color coded schedules in order from mandatory to voluntary (or however you would like to prioritize) it already helps provide you with long-term and short-term snapshots of your months, weeks, or days.
3. Highlight the Important Stuff
When writing in my planner on a specific day I like to emphasize large projects, essays, or presentations. Interestingly enough, I don't have a specific highlighter color to coincide with the classes (but it would probably help).
Instead I rotate between three highlighter colors (pink, yellow, and orange) depending on the day. For example, pink is for Mondays and Thursdays, yellow is for Tuesdays and Fridays, and orange is for Wednesday.
I use this system purely for an aesthetic look. It's easier for me to read what homework is due for next class (which is marked in black pen) and what project or exam I need to prepare for later in the week or month.
4. Update, Update, Update
There will be many times where your schedule changes unexpectedly. As an individual who didn't cope well with spontaneity, this used to send me into a tail-spin.
However, using the aforementioned erasable pens makes it easier to adapt to these schedule changes.
Furthermore, don't forget to update your iPhone calendar on your phone. I have mine synced with my gmail calendar on my computer. This way I have my schedule in three different places in case I were to lose one of my schedules.
5. Use both Month at a Glance and Weekly/Daily Schedules
If your planner has a Month at a Glance it would behoove you to enter the same information you would put in your Weekly/Daily section of your planner. Sometimes it's nice to have both a micro and macro-level view of your weeks and upcoming deadlines.
6. Don't Say "Yes" to Everything
Trust me...you don't have enough room in your planner let alone your life to do everything all of the time. However, with these organizational tips you can better follow through with those commitments you do have.
Remember to allow yourself time to think about an offer before committing to it. It's better to politely admit you appreciate the opportunity but don't have the time than to say "yes" immediately but not follow through.
The Takeaway
Organizing your schedule can help you make better time management choices. Additionally, developing your own system that makes sense to you will increase your ability to work independently and develop more confidence in your own abilities.
Hope you enjoyed today's post! Comment below or use the Contact form to get in touch :)