Add a couple sentences about digital options too i.e. Can't see the form above? Unless there is an imperative deadline, like college applications that are due the next day or the science fair looming at the end of the week, it’s always better to go to sleep and get back to work the next day with a fresh mind. Thanks you, to the authors who write this page! Create a binder with a separate section for each class. Don’t let it stack up until the weekend when you realize that you haven’t met your goals. Make the lists complete by including substeps like, “review biology notes,” and, “finish biology practice problems,” instead of the general, “study for biology.” For more information on getting organized in high school, like how to map out your classes and study smart, keep reading! The accordion folder is a great idea, and it touched on a little. One of the biggest obstacles to productivity is the inability to work efficiently. Sign up for your CollegeVine account today to get a boost on your college journey. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. What is Vanderbilt’s Acceptance Rate and Admissions Requirements? You will be more productive if you feel refreshed and fulfilled. If you can’t find the perfect study spot at home, consider going to either your local or school library. Every single one of us has exactly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What Is Yale’s Acceptance Rate and Admissions Requirements? Get out your readings or study materials and give them a quick review. Look at several planners before choosing one. Without firm time limits set in your mind in advance, it’s tempting to get carried away with “just five more minutes” again and again. You can start by choosing some tools like a planner or app that will keep track of your schedule. Buy a planner. Even if you do a lot of your schoolwork online, you'll still have things like worksheets and handouts to keep track of. "This was a very helpful page! Maybe it’s taking longer for your peers to finish their study questions during your study group. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 371,308 times. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University. You’re not alone. It’s so easy to get carried away while scrolling through a newsfeed or browsing pictures. Those look great on college applications! Maybe you’re at an appointment and the doctor is running late. For more information about planning your activities and schedule, check out these CollegeVine posts: Want access to expert college guidance — for free? Is It Better to Get a B In An AP/IB/Honors Course Or an A in a Regular Course? On the other hand, if there is no end in sight, you should ask yourself if this commitment aligns with your personal priorities. For example, if you’ve created an SAT study schedule that includes 9 hours of SAT study time each week, create a weekly overview of specifically when you’ll tackle this study time. We'll send valuable information to help you strengthen your profile and get ready for college admissions. Set rules for yourself. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. You don’t want to burn yourself out by doing to much. For example, if you’re great with words, you might want to take honors English instead of AP physics. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. This article has been viewed 371,308 times. If you're a kinesthetic learner, someplace where you can walk around the room and stretch would be great. You are probably thinking about important standardized tests to take, worrying about your GPA, juggling a slew of extracurriculars, and of course, anticipating the college applications to come. To keep all of your paperwork organized, use a 3-ring binder, and use dividers so there's one section for every class you're taking. If you're really into music, you might want to invest your time in playing in the marching band or singing in a choir. Watching the latest episode of your favorite show. It’s a good idea to start with the application that is due first. If you know that you need to tackle a big task, and you’re not looking forward to it, schedule time specifically devoted to it into your day. If your French club meetings keep infringing on the time you set aside to study for SATs or continually make you late for soccer practice, it might be time to step back and reassess your commitments. It’s important that as you do this, you set finite rewards. It’s important that everyone in the family is aware of such significant deadlines and events. Using it will help you know exactly when you have all of your classes. If you aren’t well-rested, you won’t be able to use your time well when you’re awake. Do the same if you’re going to take a break to call a friend or have a snack. Jazz it up by using fun pen colors or stickers! Buy a planner. Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them. Learn the basics of organizing. Write down all of your to-do items and scheduled activities in your planner. Use your extra time in the summer to volunteer or get an internship. If you're a kinesthetic learner, try studying someplace where you can stand up and walk around, and maybe even draw out your thinking on a whiteboard. Balancing Family Responsibilities With Applying For College, Managing Extracurriculars: A Guide to Strategic Quitting, How to Pick Your High School Courses Freshman and Sophomore Year. If you can’t find a planner format that works well for you, you can go ahead and create your own template or search for one online. Social Studies. So we're not actually going to organize time, we're trying to organize ourselves. Templates exist for just about any format, so they aren’t difficult to find through a basic online query. Avoid falling victim to this time suck by setting firm limits in advance and sticking with them. Being able to see all of your important commitments will make prioritizing easier and more straightforward. Take a field trip to the office supply store and browse through some examples. Studying in small chunks will also help you better retain information. Ask your teachers for help if you fall behind in your classes. English. This way, there will be no surprise double-bookings or confusion later on. Whenever you find yourself with a few minutes to spare, use them productively. To stay on track, add to-do lists to your planner daily to hold you accountable. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Staying on top of your organization and time management is an integral skill to develop while you’re still in high school. Take at least 3 years in this area, with a mix of U.S. history, world history, and government classes.