Through my years at LFHS I’ve tried just about every method to stay organized––apps, planners, notebooks, sticky notes, you name it. After lots of trial and error, I have discovered that, as a junior, a paper planner works for me the best. 

Between classes, activities, and homework, I’ve learned that if I don’t stay on top of things, I fall behind fast. That’s why I have learned to rely on my planner to keep me organized. Once a week, I try to sit down and write down everything I have going on––whether it’s babysitting, a test, or a club meeting. Seeing my week laid out helps me to visualize my schedule, avoid double booking myself, and feel calm and focused. 

Some might think that this is a bit extra or they don’t have the energy to do this, but I would highly encourage you to! In my planner, everything has a place and helps me feel more in control of my life. At the end of the day, I like opening up my planner, checking off tasks, and getting that small but rewarding feeling of accomplishment when I cross something out. 

Before I switched to using a paper planner, I tried to organize everything through an app on my phone. While it worked for a while, I realized it wasn’t for me. Since we can not use our phones in the classroom, I often would forget my homework assignments by the time I was able to jot it down in my app after class. Sometimes, I’d forget them completely, which led me scrambling at the last minute and feeling more overwhelmed.  That system just didn’t fit my routine. 

I’ve learned that staying organized isn’t one-size-fits-all. Everyone has their own unique system that works for them. For those who don’t, I would encourage you to find a good organization system that keeps you ahead and on top of assignments. In my experience, it is better to get control of your work early to reduce that stressed-out feeling that almost all high schoolers get.  So, whether it’s a planner, an app, or a few sticky notes on your desk, take the time to find your system.