How to Get Organized Before the Semester Begins

Happy August! This month I’m looking forward to moving into my new apartment and starting my senior year of college! Although our hybrid class model is kind of vague right now, I’m looking forward to decorating my own apartment for the first time. But before all that, I wanted to put together a short list of things to help you get organized for the upcoming semester along with me!

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1. Add your classes to Google (or Apple) Calendar

I personally love Google Calendar! I use different colors for each class, appointments, errands, extracurriculars, and social events. My favorite part is that it sends me a reminder 30 minutes before an event, so I never miss a class (or accidentally show up to the wrong one). On top of that, it lets you customize the days and weeks your classes repeat for however many weeks or until a certain date. Lastly, you can add invitations from emails, or invite people to join your own event, which makes collaborating and making plans a lot easier!

2. Get the right school supplies

Before you start buying the same amount of folders, notebooks, and binders you used in high school, ask yourself these questions:

• Which classes do you think you will need notebooks or folders for?

• Which class notes do you prefer to type on a laptop or handwrite on your iPad?

• Do you need a physical or digital planner?

• Will you use highlighters, pencils, and/or pens?

• Or sticky notes and flags for physical textbooks?

This will help streamline your school supply shopping so you aren’t overwhelmed. I suggest buying supplies that you truly like using and that will make notetaking fun - this means investing in good quality stationery that is longlasting and functional.

My pick: Zebra Mildliners - I love these because they’re light enough to see the writing underneath, and they have a marker tip on the other end of the normal chiseled tip.

3. Map out your classes to have an idea of what your day will look like

See if you will need to take any type of transportation between classes, or if they’re walkable. Google Maps often shows you the time it takes to walk between buildings, so you can also plan out when to grab meals or snacks when you’re on the go.

4. Talk to your roommate

Find out more about what you have in common, and make a new friend! Also make sure to discuss how you will be dividing up furniture, decor, cleaning supplies, and chores during the year.

5. Brainstorm meal ideas

Come up with a master list of easy meal ideas and grocery list items so you aren’t stuck during the year. Especially due to the pandemic this year, dining halls may be very different and many of us might be cooking more at home. I like saving a long list of easy and quick recipes in my Notes app, so I can refer to it while meal prepping when I’m busy with schoolwork. It also helps if you stock up on non-perishable items at the beginning of the year, such as pasta, rice, canned beans, and soups, so you have some items to start with, and they last a long time.

Tip: Try to think of multiple recipes that use the same ingredients in one week, so you can use the same groceries for many meals and they don’t go to waste.

My Pinterest Board “Easy College Recipes”

6. Closet cleanout

After moving in and out every year, I always realized I brought wayyy too many clothes to school. Besides the first two months, it was always pretty cold on my campus (#sweaterweather) so I didn’t end up wearing all the dresses, skirts, and sandals I brought. This year, I encourage you to really think about what you want to take for fall weather on your campus, and whether or not you can bring clothes back and forth over winter break. That provides a little more flexibility if you’ll be driving home, but for students like me who need to take the bus or fly, it’s not always feasible. Do what’s best for you and your situation!

7. Clean up files on your electronic devices

Make sure your laptop, Google Drive, etc. have enough space for the new assignments and essays you’ll have to complete in the upcoming school year. You can either delete old files that you don’t need anymore, or transfer them to a flash drive so you can refer back to them if ever needed. By cleaning up your files now, you’ll save yourself from the panic of getting that “Storage almost full” message when you desperately need to save an assignment that’s due at midnight!

8. Clean up photos to free up storage for the new semester

Similar to the last point, make sure to clean up your phone’s photo album by deleting unwanted pictures, screenshots, or old notes, or backing everything up to Google Drive or iCloud. This way you’ll have much more space for the new memories you’ll want to capture this semester!

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I wish you all the best of luck as you prepare for next semester, and I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you achieve! If you use any of these tips, feel free to tag me on Instagram @life.with.ankita, and follow me on Pinterest for more college advice!