Quick Fix: Clutter
By Michele Brannon Hamilton
You're ready
to start the term off fresh with your new organizational mindset. You sit down at your desk, reach down for your work and
you can't find the floor for the paper. If this sounds like you, it's time to clean up the clutter and get organized.
The time you spend organizing now will save you time later.
Take your time and tackle one area at a time. Divide
your work space into sections and follow these tips to get organized:
- Create a place for incoming
papers so that they aren't just piled on your desk or table. Use a table filing system to sort the documents and mail
into file folders. Use categories like "To Do," "To Call," To Research," "To Finish, and "To
File." Use filing cabinets for documents that you want to store for a long time.
- Put books and
binders on book shelves with the spines showing so you can find the papers easily. Keep old notebooks and course binders in
a box in the closet. Label the box lid with the year and subjects enclosed. Now you can turn to old notes with ease if you
forget something from a previous class.
- Place keepsakes and mementos in a box for storage. It's
tempting to save everything but only keep the things that really hold good memories for you. Take photos of anything too large
to keep in the box so you'll always have the photos to cherish. Label and date the box. Now you can pull out the stuff
whenever you're feeling nostalgic.
- Keep all your bills in a special folder. Write the due date
on the outside of each bill's envelope so you can find the due date with ease. Now you can send the bills in on time.
Keep these files in a safe place with easy access. You don't want to forget to pay them.
- Keep
a notebook beside your computer for all the little things you want to jot down. This helps you eliminate all the bits of paper
you may have lying around. Keep a notebook near the computer and keep one near the phone. If you have little notes all
around, write them into one of the notebooks or type them into a file on the computer.
Once you organize
your papers, you can buy colored file folders and stackable crates to store everything. Have a shredder on hand to dispose
of old paperwork. Getting rid of clutter may seem like a daunting task but you will actually feel better if you have less
clutter. A clear desk equals a clear mind.
Sources
http://www.clutterrescue.ca/
http://en.chatelaine.com/english/home/article.jsp?content=20070111_161415_6368
http://www.lifeorganizers.com/clutter/
http://www.lifeorganizers.com/cm_articles/37_the_organized_files.html
http://www.lifeorganizers.com/cm_articles/42_the_organized_home_office.html
http://www.lifeorganizers.com/cm_articles/40_the_organized_papers.html
http://www.organizedstudent.com/
http://www.rentaldecorating.com/0303studentsorganzied.htm
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=organize+student+papers&spell=1
http://www.getorganizednow.com/po.html
