The start of a new school year carries with it so much potential, particularly when students — and their parents — stay organized.
Amid the back-to-school chaos, use these tips and gear recommendations to help keep everyone on track, whether they are at school, at home or on-the-go:
Notes and big ideas
Color-coded notebooks and binders, along with labeled dividers, can help you keep your coursework straight and your note-taking organized. Take your color-coding a step further by extending the concept to the tools you write with.
Science has shown that writing a to-do list with an appealing color can lead to greater productivity.
Planning and scheduling
With the back-to-school season comes a flurry of planning and scheduling — from after-school activities to field trips.
Parents and kids alike can stay on top of all the last-minute changes with a desk calendar and an erasable pen. It’s much easier to remember tasks and events when you’ve recorded the details in a central location, so start a habit of entering all activities into your calendar as soon as they’re planned.
Lockers, backpacks and desksUse organizational tools anywhere school supplies are stored, such as lockers, backpacks and home study areas. Simple shelving and magnetic door organizers can maximize storage potential in any locker, whereas a backpack with multiple pockets allows you to arrange items by subject.
Periodically empty your backpack completely; you might be surprised by the loose papers you find at the bottom. Use the opportunity to re-order items as-needed and to wipe down the bag’s interior.
Parents and kids should keep clutter to a minimum in home workspaces with filing systems and supply trays. This will help prevent important papers and other items from going missing and improve productivity.
Down to the detailsIf you’re smudge-prone, use quick-dry ink for effortlessly clean lines. When it’s time to study, this will make reading your notes a lot easier.
Staying organized is easier said than done for families and students. However, relying on tools meant for the task at hand, whether that’s note-taking or event scheduling, can make it much simpler.
