Organize Your Bag, Binder, and Locker

As a teenager, school is one of the most important activities you have in your life. Organization is a huge part of being successful. Though some say neatness is a sign of a sick mind, a little order never hurt anyone. These steps will help you achieve your full potential.

Steps

Bag

  1. The bag is an important part of back to school. Getting one that's big enough can be challenging.
  2. Your binder(s) should go in the biggest section, the one closest to your back. This is usually the best option, because this part is generally biggest and will give you room for all your binders, even once they've been filled with papers.
  3. The second biggest pocket is where your books should go. You may also want to place your calculator in this section. Once you begin the year, your novels and smaller textbooks will also fit very nicely.
  4. The final and smallest section should be on the front of your bag. Depending on what you're interested in, you may want to put a small novel, makeup, cell phone, iPod, etc. It's mainly up to your school.
  5. For many bags, this is just the bare minimum. Most bags have side pockets, pockets with pockets, "Netted" pockets. There are many varieties, and this guide is just something to go by.
  6. Put the heaviest things closest to your back and the lightest things furthest; the weight will balance itself out and you won't be falling backwards half the time.

Binders

  1. A good system to go by is get one 2 inch binder for all your subjects. You can separate the sections of paper and notes by tab dividers. This is neater and much more convenient way. The best kind of tab dividers are the plastic ones with folders because you can count on them more.
  2. If the option is available, find out your courses beforehand. Most binders have a paper slip on the spine which you can slide out, write your subject on, and slide back in. Doing this ahead of time will save you time later. If not, then just use a 2 inch binder and just put on the side, ALL CLASSES, it should work.
  3. Put a reasonable amount of paper in each one. Some courses require more note taking than others, but it's a good idea to be prepared nonetheless.
  4. If you really feel like being organized, separate your binder into different sections, such as tests, assignments, and notes. Some teachers will tell you the specific sections to put in your binders. It is not recommended to name your tabs ahead of time, because it can make the teachers unhappy and you very frustrated. This may be a waste of time if you are in a lower grade. Doing this is only recommended if you are in middle or high school. Though some middle schools are specific so it's best to wait if you are starting in middle school. (Or if you switch classes in Elementary School, which most don't.)
  5. Decorate your binder as you wish. Make it yours with stickers, song lyrics, or your favourite celebrity. Anything you want really.

Lockers

  1. Lockers are a bit complicated. You only visit them for a total of a few minutes each day, it's hard to keep it neat and clean.
  2. As inspiration to keep it neat, decorate it from the very first day. Though you may not have tons of time, take a few minutes during the first week to put up some pictures, neat magnets, or a funky shelf.
  3. In reference to the shelf, it's a good idea to buy one, or even two. They come fairly cheap (three to five at most department stores), and most can be stacked on top of one another. This frees up a bit of space. Most lockers have a shelf in them already, or if you have a half locker, these are a must have to keep your locker organized.
    • Luckily, some school have Prep Days, Orientation, or Open House where they let you go to your locker to put up shelves and mirrors so that on the first day of school, you just put away your backpack and binders and go try to find your first class. If they don't come to school early or stay after school. (If your school allows it, you don't want to get in trouble.)

Single Binder

  1. If you can only work with one binder, you need lots of pockets.
  2. Put all your papers in these pockets.
  3. Separate them with dividers by finished homework, incomplete homework, extra papers, and so on.
  4. Have a special place to put your workbooks and textbooks. Also if you would like get a binder holder. A stand that fits into your binder. where you can put your binders and textbooks, and notebooks.

Tips

  • If you aren't sure of what size bag to get, get one a little bigger than what you think you'll need. Its better to have a little extra space, than not enough.
  • Make sure the backpack and all your books fit in your locker.

Warnings

  • Don't buy cheap binders! They'll fall apart within weeks and you'll have to buy new ones.
  • Don't put stickers on the inside of your locker. At the end of your school year, the janitors will have to scrape them off. Affix your pictures with magnets. You could use tape, but some types can be really sticky.
  • Always use the combination lock your school provides, unless they say you can bring in your own. This is in case your school needs access to your locker when you're away.
  • Also try a magnet wall print for your locker; they're very cool.

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