Organizational Tips

1)      At the beginning of the semester, take a look at all your obligations for that time period and make sure you have a minimum of conflicts. If you do have any, see if you can rearrange your schedule ahead of time.

2)      Take a look at your usual weekly schedule and see where you have pockets of time that you can fit some reading or research for class in.

3)      Determine a physical organization system that works for you that you can implement for each class. I use a Mead 6 expandable pocket student folder for each class. One pocket is for the syllabus, one for weekly powerpoint slides, one for class readings, one for assignments, and another for copies of work that I’ve turned in. Since I am on the road quite a bit I can just grab the folder for a given class and not worry that I’m missing anything to complete work.

4)      Don’t buy your books until you have information in hand directly from the instructor. Check online sources for books to save money.

5)      After you have all your syllabi for the semester, compile a weekly “due” list so you can see if there are any weeks when multiple classes have major assignments due. It’s better to know ahead of time so you can plan accordingly.

6)      At the end of each semester file your class materials away for future reference. This will come in handy when it is time to study for comps.

7)      Print out PowerPoint slides for your classes before they begin to minimize how much note taking you have to do. They are usually available on Blackboard before class depending on the instructor. To save on ink and paper costs, I find it helpful to select “print” then under “Print What” select “handouts;” I choose 3 slides per page and also the “pure black and white” option under color.

8)      Stock up on paper and ink before the semester starts. There is nothing worse than running out of ink when you’re printing journal articles for a research paper at 11pm.

9)      Find a study buddy for every class; not that you’ll necessarily physically get together but so that you have someone you can compare experiences with and be comfortable completing group projects with.

     10)   Focus on the class in front of you.

11)   Remember that the three year tentative schedule is just that: tentative. Be ready and willing to make changes to the courses you take depending on what is offered.

12)   Consider your professional development over your time at SIS. Do you need a mentor? Do you want to do a practicum? Give a presentation at a TLA conference?

13)   From square one, start writing down and/or saving articles/emails on interesting topics or things that are currently being discussed in the field. It could be a thesis, or it could be a comps question. Begin exploring social bookmarking.

14)   Before taking a timed quiz, “index” your notes and slides using yellow stickies for tabs, so you can flip through and find major subjects quickly. The indexing process will help you study, and the results will help you take the quiz quickly.