O rganize

1. Organize Study Skills

2. Which of the following apply to you? • Have you ever brought the wrong notebook or folder to class or home for homework? • Have you ever misplaced a homework assignment that you know you did? • When you look inside your bag and locker, is there a sea of randomly stashed papers staring back at you? • Do you have a hard time keeping your room neat and organized? • Do you ever feel rushed and frustrated getting ready for school?

3. Organization • For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned. • Organization is the foundation of achieving success in school. • Organizing skills can be learned and developed over time. • Anyone can learn organization strategies. • YOU can be an organized person!

4. Organize Your Papers • Do any of these apply to you? • I know I did my homework, but I can’t find it now. • Oh, no! I brought my science notebook home instead of my math notebook. • My bag is so heavy, sometimes I think my back will break. • My spiral notebooks get caught on everything. • I get so many papers and don’t have any time to put them away, so they all fall to the bottom of my bag and get crushed.

5. Organize Your Papers • Most students simply have too much “stuff” to deal with. (1 notebook, 1 folder per class=16 together) • Condense! • SOAR Binder System • 1-1 ½ inch binder for all classes • 1 pocket plastic folders/dividers • Labels for each folder and binder pocket • Loose-leave notebook paper • Home filing system • Travels with you everywhere

6. How do I create a SOAR Binder? • Get and stay organized! • 20-30 sheets of paper behind the last folder at the back of the binder • Label your folders! • Front binder pocket- Homework (To do/organize) • Back binder pocket- Miscellaneous (Other)

7. How do I create a home filing system? • Label 1 file folder for each class. • Store file folders in a safe and specific place at home. • Store binder overflow in these file folders • Empty binder 1-2 times a quarter. • Save any returned papers here.

8. How do I use the SOAR Binder System? • Never put loose papers inside your backpack! • Instead, slide them in the FRONT pocket of your binder and put them in their correct places later. • Complete homework in its class pocket • Hole-punched notes and other papers behind their class pockets • Keep your binder easily accessible throughout the day.

9. How do I use the SOAR Binder System? • Put ALL papers that need your attention at home or later in the front pocket of your binder. • Unfinished homework papers • Unpunched notes • Notes for parents • Forms that need to be signed • Papers you need to leave at home • Etc.

10. How do I use the SOAR Binder System? • Use the back pocket of the binder for miscellaneous (other) items. • Papers not related to a specific class that may need to be quickly referenced • Needed, unclassifiable papers • Possibly keep the following in your binder: • Planner • Red pen • Blue/black pen • Pencil • Highlighter • White out • Eraser • Flat three-hole-punch • Hole reinforcement stickers

11. Using Your Binder at Home • Put any stray papers (should be in the front pocket) into or behind their correct folders BEFORE you do anything else. • After finishing homework pages, immediately put them away in their correct folders. • Clean out your binder 1 to 2 times per quarter (possibly after a group of tests). • Do not throw any papers away. You may need them to study for future tests and exams.

12. Random Information • CBA teachers will allow you to use this system. • Your papers will fit if you clean out your binder 1-2 times (or more) a quarter. • Your binder is NOT for storing spiral notebooks (other than your planner)! • If a teacher must collect a notebook, ask him/her if you can staple loose-leaf papers together. (I actually prefer this because this cuts on bulk when I am grading.)

13. Cluttered Spaces=Cluttered Minds • Messy spaces are overwhelming and distracting and facilitate the loss of homework. • A place for everything and everything in its place • Have a specific, designated space for all of your belongings • Perhaps not perfectly clean, but control when managing your things

14. Mission Control: Your Room • Your central space from which you organize your life • Affects your school work • An organized room provides for efficiency • In homework completion, • In getting ready for school, and • In controlling your life.

15. Steps to an Organized Room • 1. Remove stuff you don’t need- decluttering • 4 boxes or bags • Trash • Donations • Storage (for things stored somewhere else in the house) • Be sure to label your boxes for storage. • Somewhere else box- deliver things all at once

16. Steps to an Organized Room • 2. Gather similar items together to help identify a logical home for them. • 3. Find a place for everything—especially you school supplies and home filing system. • This will enable you to keep your room organized.

17. Tips to an Organized Room • Don’t forget the space under your bed (in storage containers). • Use the tops of tall bookcases and dressers • Look up! Use closet shelves. • Put things inside of other things (i.e. sleeping bags in suitcases).

18. Tips for an Organized Room • Use a bulletin board to post pictures, notes, and mementos. • Trunks are great for storing big items and seating. • Use plastic crates, shelves, and drawers to store things.

19. Organize your Study Space • Minimize distractions. • Keep your supplies near you. • Pens • Pencils • Stapler • Three-hole-punch • Paper • Dictionary/Thesaurus • Grammar guide • Schoolbooks • Binder • Planner • Etc.

20. Organize your Study Space • Make your space comfortable.- Decorate! • Keep lighting and temperature at comfortable levels. • Don’t use harsh fluorescent light bulbs. • Play baroque music to help you concentrate. • Only as background noise. • Do NOT play music that you will want to sing to or fall asleep to.

21. Organize your Locker • Keep trash out! • Store your morning books flat. • Stand your afternoon books upright. • Label the spines of your books. • Place books for homework at the bottom of your locker (separate from everything else).

22. Organize your Book Bag • Use your binder to keep your papers in order. • Check your planner before you leave to make sure you have everything you need in your book bag.

23. Conclusion • Keep your belongings under control. • You don’t need to be a neat freak. • Organization will save you time throughout your life.

24. Organizing your Time • 24 hours • Develop routines (things you do regularly). • Do something 7-21 times to make it a habit. • Use your planner every day!- Record everything. • Initiate weekend meetings with your parents to plan your week, gather supplies, and talk through the week’s events.

25. Organize your Time • Avoid rushed and chaotic mornings. • Prepare before you go to bed. • All your papers and books should be in your binder and back pack. • Double-check your planner. • Gather all your school gear. • Put your bag by the door. • Pick out your clothes.

26. Maximize your Time • Take advantage of “down time” in school. • Time between class • Time after finishing a quiz or test • Study hall • Use the time to review your notes, finish homework, plan your evening, or read a book.

27. Maximize your Time • Use the bus ride. • Do your homework as early as possible. • Take only a short break before starting. • Do NOT turn on the TV, radio, computer (unless needed for school), phone, etc. before finishing your homework. • The hours of 3-6 are the most poorly used hours of the day.

28. Organize Summary • Organizing skills are learned. • The SOAR Binder System is a simple solution for keeping notes, assignments, and all school-related materials in one convenient location. • Clutter creates a distracting environment. • Create more time for “fun stuff” in your life by redeeming wasted time.