How do you stay organized?
 

I must admit here, that this is not as much a general discussion thread, as it is a plea for help (well, sort of).

What ways do you all use to stay organized? I'm talking about events, dates, goals, just about anything.


I'm in first year University and I'm having a good time, but as I look around me I can see that it's far too easy to let things slip and lose track of what needs to be done, and when.

Are there any tricks, devices, habits or just about anything that you all use that you know works, that keeps you in check?

I'd be interested in hearing from you, because as far as I could remember, I just did things, and it seemed to work out. I haven't really had any methods of organization. I can see now though, that that will have to change. There is far too much on my plate here at school to just trust myself with. (I can feel the push already, and I know it's because I've let some things slip).

I'm in college, and all I use is a calendar. When I'm assigned something, I write it in on the due date. If it's something that will take a lot of time to complete, I'll give myself a one-week warning also. I have midterms and reading assignments listed also.

In terms of packing things into the day, I have particular times allocated for work and other times for play. Saturday is no-work day.

calender or a diary is easiest way

post-it notes stuck all over my desk ;)

i´m at uni and i just use a diary.
mind you, i really can´t live without it... everything goes into it.

Palm Pilot and to-do lists. Lots of to-do lists.

My roommate is the responsible one. Thank goodness.

Though I do write a lot of to-do lists as well.

I use a calendar. I also make daily lists of things to accomplish. I don't necessarily get them all done, but it does help prioritize it. I also don't procrastinate about tasks. If there is something I can do right at the moment that is in preparation for a larger project later on (i.e. doing research for a term paper now and writing it 2 weeks from now), I do it immediately.

I use that sticky notes program. Since I'm almost always on my computer when I'm in my room, it's posted right there on my desktop.

I agree lists are such a help and postits too. Also electronic pocket organiser :)

This is not a paid endorsement.

I used to be a disorganized mess, until I got one of those paper-based Franklin Planners. Everything goes in it, and I'm productive enough at work now to spend like 1/3 of my day cruising various forums and web sites and still get everything done.

I do not

...but, I plan on organizing myself pretty soon (sometime after my vacation)

I used to stay organized with my ipaq pda but then it disappeared; now i use yahoo calendar to keep up with dates.

To do lists are good. If you think you will use it, get a calendar program--be it Outlook, Mozilla's calendar, or something else, if it works, use it.

If you need something more accessible, get a small notepad and carry it with you in your pocket. Write *everything* you need to do in it, and check it often.

I was very bad in my organisation, shocking in fact! I was always missing appointments, forgetting dates for schoolwork and just generally feeling like I was going nowhere, till I got organised.

I got a diary/organiser/planner whatever you want to call it. And took it everywhere, and put important dates on my calendar as well.
I also set goals for myself, in four differnt catergories:
* Today - which is just a few key things I want/have to get done, even I've I dont do all I'm happy if I've completed one or two.
* Month - specific things that I would like to achive by the end of the month, often with a bit of a plan as to how to achive them.
* Year - fairlly specific goals that I would like to achive.
* Decade - I'm young so I'm starting to really think long term this helps keep me on track with where I wont to go in life. These objectives are very generall.

For example to be healthy is a big obejective (decade) for me. So this year I said I want to lose 'x' amount of weight and start eating a bit healthier. This month I've set the goal of losing another 2-5 kg's and visiting a dietitian for some advice on my diet. So then eacy day I say ok I need to go for a bike ride or a swim I have to call to make an appointment.

Hope that helps sandeep. Most importantlly find what works for you, my sister tried to follow my lead but she is a very spontaneous person and felt restricted by all the structure of goals and things, so she setlles for small organiser with her vital dates and appointments.

i dont organize anything :D just go with the flow... whenever i had like to go somewhere for the weekend or whatever i always find out like the day before... nothing planned... just try to remeber it nd if you dont, ohwell

It sounds like carrying a planner is a big one around here. I was hoping to avoid that because I tend not to carry around pens and books when I don't need to.

I like the post-it note idea. I have a fridge on my desk, which provides a nice surface for sticking notes.

I'll try out both ways, and see what works out for me. Afterall, I can't be too picky when it means something will make my life easier.

Thanks for the input (and more is always welcome).

I know I actually got a free planner at the beginning of the year. Let's see if i can dig that up.


jam161 - I don't know if I'm willing to risk all this money I'm paying per year with just winging it. I'd love to, but it doesn't seem like a sound economical decision.


jw_toyboy - I don't know if i'll get that specific right away, but it seems like you've got quite a hold on things. I'd love to be able to know that much about what I had to do. But decade? wow, you've got me impressed.

If you have a Windows laptop for college, start by using Outlook and the "To Do" list in that.

Make sure you give yourself some lag time; in other words, if a long essay is due on Friday, make sure that you set it to remind you on Wednesday etc.

Don't hit "Dismiss" when the pop-ups ping you, but use the "Snooze" button. That way the pop-ups will keep bugging you until you get it done.

It's very useful to have a calendar. Outlook is just one PC based version that could be used. I'm sure there are alternatives out there.

Mr Mephisto

I dont stay organized! Its really a bad habbit but I just can't bring myself too it. My desk is so cluttered with a bunch of crap, it sometimes takes me too long to find things.

I love my Palm, but I'll have to vote against it - it's a neat little gadget but the physicality of a big-ass calendar with lots of colors is more likely to keep you on top of things.

Love your alarm clock.

Don't procrastinate much, but do procrastinate a little. You get the most done when you're putting off something else. My room is only clean when I have something else to do, and sometimes I bounce assignments off one another - I'll do A first in order to not do B...

I couldntve gotten by without my planner (the paper/book kind). Write everything down, and get notes in the back for added stuff like groceries or a list of to dos. You just keep a pen in the spine of the book or um..if you get a fabric one they usually get pen holders. I also used the calendar to post tests and appointments and highlight then just so it pops out at me. I dont have money for those electric ones, and sticky notes always fall down or gets covered by other notes and then gets lost.

Usually one of my roomates will say "dude, I finally finished x assignment." After a few moments of deep thought, I'll reply "Son of a bitch!" and then spend some uninterrupted time in front of the laptop.

Ummm....define "organized."

Whoa... been there.

Although for me it's less "son of a bitch" and more fuckery.

mew, I can't afford an electronic organizer right now either, so that's out of the question for me as well.

Jonsgirl, I mean keeping track of events and dates and things going on around me. As well as being able to landmark certain events coming up in the future.

WarWagon, I had that happen to me today actually. Except, I don't have a laptop, it's a desktop pc.


I don't think I'm too far into trouble just yet (although I have let a few things slip, and I'm paying for it now) but I saw the way things were heading, and wanted to get organized now before it's too late.

I'm a post its type of person myself.

If you usually get events days or weeks ahead, calendars are the way to go. sometimes it's even a good idea to just print out some personally made ones from a computer. saves money, and it's customized. I know a lot of teachers that do that.

Just reg. assignments, if you got a main binder, post your notes inside the cover or soemthing.

I have a small digital voice recorder. I put quick reminders in it. Then when I have time, I add those reminders to the Palm, or I just listen for me to tell me what the hell I should be doing. It works fairly well.

I have pocket-PC with a calender and i usualy make a to-do list.

The agenda is an absolute fantastic tool. It can help so much. I used to never use that that. Time management is a key element at working effectively, especially if youre still a student.

I've got a pocket pc and I use the tasks like crazy. Being able to forget things because I know it's "on the list" has reduced my organization-related stress level tons.

Also, ignore the cliches and check out Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. There are some really useful tips there.

By throwing my papers wherever I please and showing up only to things I remember to show up to. Wait... You said organized?

I honestly don't know how I did it before the my PDA. I don't think I could live without it now. Being consistant in your scheduling also helps. When I was in school, we were stuck with pens and paper. That seemed to work. For those of you still in school, if you think things are complicated now, wait until you have some more responsibility.

dont procrastinate and organization will take care of itself. or you will have lots of time to get that last minute assignment done.

My procrastinating is what motivates me to try to get organized. I appriciate all the tips and advice, I'll see if I can keep myself out of any major trouble :)

I keep my mind organized.
I don't use any external means of organization.
I figure my life is an exact reflection of what's in my head.
Works well enough for me.

On my computer: iCal, AddressBook, iSync
My Cell Phone's built in calendar and contact list
My Palm Zire
My iPod

All synced up w/ iSync so its a rarity i dont have my calendar handy to reference times i need to be somewhere. :)

I use my iPaq Pocket PC's to do list. I don't use the appointments portion as much as the to do lists. I find that it is as good as anything that you can use; the trick is carrying it with you at all times so that you have it when you need it.

Oh I also had another thought. If you get an account with Yahoo they have a calendar that you can type in all your stuff for the future, and then check it any time any where. If yoru at school you can just check it there..and you'll never lose it! Though, bad thing is I heard that yahoo can be cracked easily. Im sure you all have something to say to that, but who would want to screw round with your agenda?

one personality keeps my thoughts and goals here, the other here and the other over there.

sigh

I have a series well used and abused iPaqs, Jornadas, Palms and a Zaurus to testify about my terrible organizational skills and my dependance on this electronic memory.