Organizational tips for graduate school

Graduate school is a time consuming and intense commitment.  Staying organized can seem challenging, but in reality, the more organized you are, the more effortless your time will feel.  It just takes a little bit of discipline and a few important tricks.  Staying organized can be simple if you follow these basic guidelines.

Time management is an important skill to have in a master’s program, but even more significant are your organizational abilities.  Disorganization is often the sign of a cluttered mind.  To start, set up a filing system to organize your academic and personal life.  The different types of file slots should include spaces for the following:

• Research/thesis ideas.
• Thesis references (with sub files for different subjects).
• Exam materials. As you prepare for comps, this will have copies of old exams and study materials
• Professional credentials – vita,  sample cover letter,  research statement etc.
• Reprints and professional articles, organized by topic.
• Life (bills,  taxes, etc.).
• Teaching materials (organized by topic).

Organize your study space.  Your desk and work environment should be free of distractions, well lit, and stocked with all the necessary supplies and files for your study needs.  This is the hub of where most of your work will be done for your master’s degree, and having it clutter free can be soothing and make the long nights a touch more cozy than stressful.

Acquiring the necessary supplies may seem pricey, but in the end having the right tools will make your life easier and will be more than worth the financial investment.  this includes having things like a stapler, paper clips, binder clips, stick on notes/post-its, and sticky flags.  I would suggest buying these items in bulk to maximize your savings.  Graduate school can be expensive, so it is good to save whenever and however you can.

Organize your master’s program class materials- have designated areas for certain topics and their corresponding materials.  This way if you need to find something, there is only one place that it should be.

Removing the clutter from your home will provide you with the needed dose of zen for when you are not busy studying at your desk.  Have a command center near your entry way; this means having special places for things like keys, wallet, coats, shoes, bills, mail, etc.  Organization in the rest of your life will help you to keep graduate school organized too.

Schedule your household chores so that there is a set time for everything.  Do your best to keep up with cleaning, because just like having less clutter, staying clean will help you to relax.  In the midst of doing all of this, be sure to recognize that you are only human and are therefore fallible.  When you fall off the organizational band wagon, just be calm and kind to yourself, and climb back up on it.  Making a list can help with all of these things, including recognizing when you have fallen out of order. Graduate school can be overwhelming at times, and having a solid organizational structure will help keep the stress to a minimum.