It All Fits Together

We can't put more hours on the clock for you...

But we can tell you what some "together"students do...

To make the most of limited resources:

• Time
• Energy
• Attention

Those are limited resources for all of us.

But in college organization can become critical.

The good news is...

A lot of this is EASY.

Big Ideas:

• Repeat yourself
• Write it down
• Plan it out

Did we just say, "Repeat yourself?"

Repeat SUCCESSFUL actions.

For example:

• Put your pen back in the same place every time (pocket, shelf).
• Same with your keys.
• Make many little things habits.

You'll spend less time looking for things and less time thinking about UNIMPORTANT things.

You need your brain for other stuff (like writing papers, taking tests, and making witty comments on Facebook).

Don't use your brain and your time for finding your pen or keys for the sixtieth time.

Just look in that place where you decided that you will ALWAYS put them.

Okay, now do the same thing with:

• The syllabus for each class
• Your flash drive
• Where are their forever homes"?

Use habits and forever homes for online stuff too.

Online homes:

• A folder for each class
• Documents named with a regular naming system
• And save each thing in at least two DIFFERENT places for safety (like laptop and OneDrive)

Your system doesn't have to perfect.

It doesn't have to be brilliant.

It can be pretty arbitrary.

Just use the same system over and over.

It will give YOU time to be brilliant.

Big Idea 2

Write It Down.

Write things down all the time.

Write things down

• Have a pen and notebook out in class all the time.
• Yes, be THAT student.
• You'll decide later that good grades are cool.
• We promise.

In class take notes on:

• Everything the professor writes on the board
• Any information about assignments and due dates, especially changes
• Key phrases from what the professor says in lecture

More about lecture notes:

• Bullet points are your friend
• Take notes even if you think you're a bad notetaker
• Review (re-read) your notes within a day of taking them

Serious lecture note success: retype notes when you get home.

It doesn't take as long as you think and it helps you learn and remember the material.

Even "bad" note-takers can take pretty good notes but if it's serious problem...

You can:

• Get a smartpen (Google it)
• Talk to the accommodations coordinator (disability services office) for help finding a volunteer notetaker if you qualify, or other assistance
• Ask a classmate if you can look at their notes after class. (How about typing them up for both of you?)

And everything you write..

Keep everything

• Lab reports
• Drafts
• Completed assignments
• Handouts
• Email from professors, and offices like the Registrar or dean

Where to keep everything?

If you don't already have the imperfect, arbitrary system that we fully endorse because it will work GREAT...

You can put everything in:

• A three-ring binder for hard-copies
• OneNote for your online notebook--EVERYTHING can go in here

Recommended sections for a class binder:

• Syllabus
• Notes (plain notebook paper)
• Handouts (write date on when received)
• Assignments that have been returned

OneNote Is:

• A Microsoft application made to function just like a notebook
• You can make notebooks for different classes, and sections for notes, syllabi, etc.
• Paste in websites you're researching
• Insert Word or other documents

OneNote is part of Microsoft Office which is free for FPU students to download (as of Fall 2015)

OneNote is also available in OneDrive, the cloud Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and file storage that comes with your student email account.

If you haven't already,

• Watch a OneDrive tutorial
• Watch a OneNote tutorial
• You can find tutorials on YouTube (for OneDrive, OneNote, and everything else under the sun) or at Franklin Pierce

Big Idea 3

Plan It Out.

Ways to Plan

• Use a calendar or planner
• Put reminders in your phone
• Make lists
• Make appointments for assistance
• Outline papers

Seriously, use a calendar.

Find the calendar that you'll use

• Paper-and-pencil planning has some research to back it up.
• Come to the Center for Academic Excellence and we'll help you use a planner.
• Put big assignments in.
• Then plan backwards, chunking out steps and when you'll do them.

But if paper's not for you:

• Calendar in OneDrive/email
• Google Calendar
• Apps like MyStudyLife or MyHomework
• They will sync with your phone. You don't even know how great that will be.
• Trust us. Try it.

Make appointments.

SO MANY people can help you

• Writing Center
• Center for Academic Excellence
• Your professor
• Peer tutor
• Your smart friend
• Your coach

Make an appointment and put it in that calendar.

This slideshow was long...

But the steps are small.

And EASY.

Three Big (but Easy) Ideas

• Repeat yourself
• Write it down
• Plan it out

Organization is the key to success.

We'd love to help.

Center for Academic Excellence

Find us in the Tower

• Library 4th Floor
• 603.899.4107
• academicexcellence@franklinpierce.edu