Organization: Key to Grad School Success

In grad school, you can be awash in paper, from exams that have been returned to papers you need to grade or research data you need to evaluate. If you don't keep everything organized, you will waste your time and energy looking for stuff instead of crossing off items on your to-do list. Follow these tips to get yourself organized.

Develop a filing system

You need a filing system for both printed and digital paperwork. Use labeled or color-coded files and folders to help you keep track of school papers, work papers, bills, research materials, potential dissertation materials, personal items, and other documents.

Make a rule for yourself that you always re-file paperwork when you are done with it.

Set up a study area

A quiet and private study area will help you keep your schoolwork organized and in one place. (In addition, if you always study in one place, your family, friends, and roommates will learn not to bother you when you are in the 'study zone.') Equip your study area with a desk, comfortable chair, good lighting, resource materials such as a dictionary and style guide, and general office supplies such as a stapler and file folders.

Use your planner

Your planner can do more than remind you of appointments and deadlines. Use it to jot down notes, reminders, e-mail addresses, etc. That way, you will always know where your notes are instead of searching your desk for the piece of scrap paper on which you wrote your notes.

Organize your class work

Use a binder for each class, with dividers for class notes, assigned readings, handouts, and other materials. You can keep the syllabus for each class in the binder to remind you of deadlines and class guidelines.

Organize your computer

Set up a folder on your computer for each class and keep all your papers and downloaded materials in that folder.

De-clutter

If you find that you have slipped and started to let your paperwork pile up, don't panic or give up! Just set aside some time to go through everything. File what you need and recycle what you don't. Then you'll be back on track to an organized grad school life.