Trying to balance attending lectures and tutorials, doing assignments and preparing for exams – all whilst trying to maintain a social life – can be really tricky. When you’re trying to juggle various deadlines and commitments, organisation is key. Here are some handy tips and tricks to help you stay organised this semester.
Keep a diary, planner or calendar. There’s no worse feeling than realising you have an assignment due this week that you haven’t started yet. Having something to keep track of all of your important deadlines will help you stay organised and on-task, which can seriously reduce your stress levels.
Make to-do lists. To-do lists don’t just help you stay on top of your work, they also improve your motivation! Breaking big pieces of work down into little tasks allows you to work much more efficiently and the feeling of crossing something off your list can be super satisfying.
Set up a filing system. Find a way to organise all of your lecture notes to avoid panicking when you can’t find something. Ring binders and coloured folders are a great way to do this. If you’re more digitally inclined, create separate folders on your computer or laptop to store your notes and work for each unit.
Avoid overloading. You’ve probably got enough on your plate with university, so try not to overcommit yourself to work, social plans or extra-curricular activities. Learning to say “no” can be difficult but it’s even more difficult to finish an assignment or study for an exam when you haven’t left yourself enough time.
Get organised in other areas of your life. It’s even harder to stay organised at university when the rest of your life is in disarray. Having a regular sleep schedule, meal planning and keeping your room and study space tidy will help you think more clearly and focus on your studies.
Ask for help when you need it. If you don’t understand something, ask your peers or tutor for help as soon as possible. Putting it off can lead to you being totally confused later on. Remember, Curtin has a range of support services that are here to help you.
Written by mass communications student Kelsey Tang
