Organize Your Notebook
Are you tired of losing your homework or not being able to find the notes you needed to study for that test in two days? Do you just feel like overcoming the monster that is disorganization? This how-to can help!
Contents
Steps
- Use one binder for each of your classes - sometimes teachers collect the notebooks. If the check takes more than a day, you'll be left without your materials for other classes. There's usually a section in the syllabus that you received at the beginning of the year that details how a given teacher wants you to set up your notebook. Otherwise, follow the steps below.
- If your binder runs out of space, file the earliest units, in a safe place, at home. Toss out any doodles or pieces of paper that don't help you at review time.
- Use your dividers to make unit sections for each of your notebooks.
- Keep loose leaf paper after the last note in the current unit of study, in each notebook.
- Put a three-ring plastic envelope in your binder to carry other supplies such as pencils, flashcards, and CDs.
- Put any homework due in the right notebook section so that it will be easy to find.
- Keep your notebook organized by checking each one and throwing away unwanted papers at the end of the school day.
- Remove staples and punch all handouts before placing in your binder. You can do this easily by ripping off the part with the staple or using a stapler remover.
- Avoid using multi-page stapled handouts without taking them out of the rings of the binder. (so that the rings don't rip the holes of the pages).
- Keep your notes in the right sections. Also do your best to complete all sections of the notebook before your new job or new class.
Tips
- Write the date and topic on all your notes and handouts.
- Try to write neatly. If you're rushing, and your handwriting is becoming illegible, stop and make arrangements with a friend nearby to copy them later or ask the teacher to assist you. This will help you study and review later.
- Add pictures to your notes to help you study (maybe a little banana beside the word potassium).
- Write all of your notes in separate notebooks. This way you will be able to find your notes easier and you'll be organized. Give a heading to your notes, don't forget to write the date! Avoid scribbling or tearing your notes. When you are trying to separate different topics or notes, try alternating the colors.
- Don't scrunch up a letter and push it to the corner of your bag. If you have a binder, use it!
- Instead of a binder, you can also opt for a more compact solution by buying accordion folders.
- If your teacher likes to check your binder, make sure you have all the materials they want.
- Try to get a pencil-holder with a three hole punch. (or a three-hole punch ruler. If you get the ruler, however, the plastic parts do tend to break and eventually the "ruler" will just be a very slender three hole punch.)
- Make sure that you clean out your binder monthly. If you're cleaning out your binder, make sure you don't need a paper before you throw it away.
Warnings
- Don't throw away every test or quiz you get back; you can study this for a mid year or final!
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