A Schedule That Works

Does your backpack look like the bottom of a dirty trash can? Do you conveniently “forget” to write down or complete homework assignments? Or, better yet, do you complete assignments but accidentally forget to turn them in the next day?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may be in need of some organizational coaching. As students advance through school, the organizational demands placed on them become progressively greater. More and more information is presented, homework loads rise and at-home projects become increasingly prevalent. Without the right types of organizational tools in place, it is easy for you feel overwhelmed and sometimes lost with this plethora of demands.

By utilizing the following organizational tools, you will learn a systematic approach for tackling all homework assignments, class notes, tests and quizzes.

Homework Assignments
Remembering to write down specific assignments, break down long-term projects and turn in homework on time can present some of the most difficult organizational tasks for students. However, the right strategies for homework organization can help lead to academic success.

For starters, use an assignment book on a regular basis. Ideally, the assignment book should have dates pre-written in it and should contain enough space for each day where you can write in all homework assignments, tests and even afterschool activities. Before the week begins,divide each day in the assignment book into five columns: ET (Estimated Time), AT (Actual Time), O (Order), D (Done) and Assignment (by far the largest column).

At school, the only place where you should write any information is in the last column, which reads “Assignment.” For example, in that column you might write “Math, complete pages 24-26 in textbook,” and underneath that, “English, complete five-paragraph essay” and so on. Then, when you get home from school and sit down to do your homework, read each assignment and predict how much time each task will take. List these times under the “ET” column. For example, you might think your math assignment will take 30 minutes (write 30m) and your English assignment will take one hour (writes 1hr). Next, decide which order to do the assignments. Choose to do either the shorter or longer ones first, and order the assignments 1, 2, 3, etc. underneath the “O” column accordingly. Then complete each assignment in the designated order and write the actual amount of time it took to complete the assignments under the “AT” column.

Typically, when a student begins using this strategy, there is a big discrepancy between the actual and estimated time (AT and ET) for each assignment. The more you use this strategy, however, the more realistic you will become with your time, and the closer these two times start to merge. Finally, when you have completed all assignments and put them away in the proper folder in your backpack (this is a crucial step), place a check under the appropriate “D” columns. This is a dynamic strategy, which builds homework, time management, and, of course, overall organizational skills.

Notebook Organization
Alas, the notebook! You may begin the school year with a well-organized set of color-coded notebooks and folders, only to see the famous “trashcan backpack” emerge shortly after classes resume. Some students avoid any sort of system, feeling at a permanent organizational loss. But, finding the right system for notebook organization can be the secret tool for success in this arena.

Many students have thrived using the three-tier notebook organization system, which is composed of the following three parts: a working notebook, reserve notebook and long-term filing drawer.

•The Working Notebook: This is the notebook that should be taken to school on a regular basis. It can be set up in the form of one three-ring binder with separate tabs for each class. Alternatively, it can take the form of one color-coded spiral notebook (for taking notes) and one folder (for handouts and homework) for each class. What is most important about the working notebook is that it only contains papers that you absolutely need to be carrying to school. Designate one day each week (and write it directly in your assignment book each week) as your clean-out-my-working-notebook-day. On this day, clean out all papers that you no longer need to take to school and file them in your reserve notebook.

•The Reserve Notebook: The reserve notebook should be a large, multi-section accordion folder. For each class, there will be three sections in the accordion folder: one for homework, one for class notes and one for tests or quizzes. For example, for math, have sections labeled “math homework,” “math class notes” and “math tests/quizzes.” Have similar sections for English, science, social studies and all other subjects. Remember that the working notebook should be cleaned out and transferred to the reserve notebook on a weekly basis.

•The Long-Term Filing Drawer: At the end of the semester or school year, if you have written a stellar essay, completed a notable project or scored sky-high on a particular exam, you may want to save this work. Place such top-caliber work in a filing drawer for long-term safekeeping.

Other organizational strategies that you may want to implement include setting up a regular space for you to complete your homework with easy access to well-organized supplies. You may want to complete homework at a consistent time of day, such as moments after you come home from school or right before dinner. If you continue to face organizational issues even with these tools in place, there are one-on-one coaching sessions and small group clinics to customize organizational tools.

Remember that organization is one of the most important facets of school success. The earlier you learn these tools, the easier it will be to implement and maintain them as you progress through school and enter college.

Emily Levy is the founder and director of EBL Coaching, located at www.eblcoaching.com, which offers one-on-one and small group tutoring and organizational coaching.

• sources: www.eblcoaching.com