Organising For Beginners

Organisation skills – Studying Part TWO!

Ever since Year 11 onwards, I (Karen) have found studying a bore. It is painful and the more you try to learn, the more you realise how much you don’t know. But bear with me! From my experience, maybe you just aren't organising yourself as best as you can.

With University comes debt, paperwork and more paperwork. Deadlines and receipts where if you don’t keep organised, you’ll seriously lose your place in it all.
I've had to learn the hard way about being organised and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone to go through the same thing! So it’s time to help you get organised!

Tips to help you get organised:

1. Clean your room. Spring clean it.

Yes I said it! No I’m not your mother. Cleaning your room isn't a chore. It’s the opportunity for you to get rid of years of collecting dust, toys, and old clothes you’ll never wear.

Benefits:
A. You get to find money you forgot about (saving point)
B. You get a decent workout (no gym for today yay!)
C. All the clothes/items you don’t want can be donated (You’re a role model, Jim!)
D. You feel better once it’s done. You probably won’t have to do it again for quite a while!

2. Think about how your brain works.

Tricky twister isn’t it? Use your brain, to think about your brain. I did a workshop in year 10 that told me there are different learning modalities which means your brain responds to different kinds of learning settings (e.g.  you learn more by listening or doing something over reading). These settings can be applied to everyday life and will help you understand why you always forget your doctor appointment or that yearly visit to the vet for your pet.

A. Auditory- Learn better by listening to content > Discussion lectures that allow you to listen and respond

B. Visual – Take better notice through visual illustrations > Diagrams, Textbooks, Overheads.

C. Kinesthetic/Tactile – Like to take a more physical approach to learning > where movement is involved, games, internet etc.

Many people are a mixture of these, but there will be one that you are most predominant in. Here is a link to find out which one you are. (This won’t make you pay for anything or make you wait. We’re not mean people) BUT you have to do some addition to find your final result. So maybe I am a little bit mean after all. I’m sorry!
http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/m/mentors0708kechiawilliams/learningstylesruvey.pdf

Once you know how your brain ticks, you can choose different methods to fully use this ability of yours. For information on other modalities, visit: https://tpri.wikispaces.com/Incorporating+Learning+Modalities+in+Writing
(they have other types of modalities I have not heard of, feel free to attach and mix yourselves within the groups).


3. Set allocated spaces for different things.

Don’t study where you sleep. Don’t sleep and study where you eat. This (no joke) will confuse your brain and when you study, you’ll get bored and hungry, or when you want to sleep, you’ll feel as if you need something to eat #firsthandexperience.
This goes the same for organising your books and files you need to keep. It is best to buy some cheap folders/clear slips to put these away and whenever you need them, just pull them out of a drawer or a box. 

Benefits: (Because you won’t consider it if you think there’s nothing good about it)

A. Tidiness. (Unless you’re a grub, then move along)
B. You won’t lose important papers.
C. If you put it away in a safe place, the robbers are less likely to steal it if it is hidden.
D. You can prioritize your space for more important things
E. When you need to file away something EXTRA important, you already have a designated space/folder to place that extra important item.

Some More Helpful Hints:

• Look at Josh's post down below in the Study section where he mentions REALLY helpful tips on how to get down to business in your student life
• Don't procrastinate on important things to do e.g. your 40% REPORT THAT IS DUE NEXT WEEK. You'll hate yourself for it and if you fail the unit you have another $3600 of debt to your name! 
• Don't give up! Lame, but true. 
• Find an inspiration/role model to help you through. It can even be your mother. On that note,
• Be nice to your parents. They love you and if sh** hits the fan, they can always pick you up off your feet.
• Don't Hoard unnecessary items. It will bit you in the butt if you do!
• Focus on one important thing at a time
• Give yourself time to relax and enjoy the life you live. 
• Ask friends & teachers for advice
• Don't think about the chore - JUST DO IT!

I can lecture you about how to get organised and tell you everything you should do (IMO), but everyone is different. 

These few tips will help you start your short journey of getting organised, once you've done it, the rest is easy! Or is it.......




Nah it really is! 


Until next time,

Karen