From student to student: tips for organizing your study space and time

By: Emilee Schevers & Will Honcharuk
CNIB National Youth Council Members

It’s that time of year again - exams are approaching, the school year is winding down, and we’re all wondering where the time went! Whether you’re trying to find missing course notes or that major assignment from last semester, we put together some tips to help you organize your time and space and hopefully feel less overwhelmed. 

1. Stop saving all your files in the same place! We’re all guilty of it. You download a file and don’t save it anywhere, and when you need it, you can’t find it. To avoid the file search frenzy, try to finesse and maintain a filing system on your computer with course names, separate assignments, and notes. Label every document and place it in a folder where you know you can find it later. This will make studying easier and save you so much time!
2. Designate a space for all those loose papers. If you have loose papers sitting around that don’t quite have a home, take the time to find a space for them! File them in a binder or folder.
3. Create a schedule! While you should be doing this all year round, it’s crucial during finals. Set aside time to be productive and complete assignments or study. And don’t forget to schedule time to do the things you love! Your schedule doesn’t need to be rigid, but by adequately designating and managing your time, you won’t be rushing at the last minute to get things done. This also allows you to focus on one task at a time and avoid feeling daunted by the never-ending list of tasks.
4. Take breaks. Now that you have scheduled your time accordingly, you can afford to take breaks! 15 minutes away from your computer or notes can be beneficial for studying and retaining information.
5. Breathe, please! It sounds silly, but trust me, you can refocus your brain and destress by taking a step back and taking a deep breath. Your shoulders don’t always need to be up to your ears.