3 Simple Things to do Now to Organize for the School Year
Students with a learning disability need an easy to follow, structured approach to organize their school work and study time. While no one approach suits everyone, try these 3 organizational steps to set yourself on the path to success:
Organize your Materials
While it may take some trial and error to see what you like, a very effective method for LD students is to:
- Use colored 1-2” binders and matching color spiral notebooks for each class. Do a little color association to help you remember: Green for Science (outdoors, growth), Red for History (powerful generals/bloody battles) – you get the idea.
- Divide each of these binders into 3 sections: handouts, your written work, and tests/quizzes.
- Clip the separate spiral notebook into the front of the binder - that way it is there to take notes and to hand in to the teacher if he/she wants to collect your notes.
- Use a different colored folder for homework. Put each day’s assignments in one side, and the completed work, ready to hand in, in the pocket on the other side.
- Get a simple pencil case for pencils, pens, erasers, and sticky notes. Put this in a small front pocket of your backpack; use this same pocket every day.
- **Note: many students like to use an accordion file with a pocket dedicated to each subject. This works for the first month or so of school, and then the pockets become overstuffed and unwieldy. The binder system – while it may take a bit more effort - is a better long-term solution.
Organize your Assignments
Recording your assignments is essential. You will not remember them, especially if they are long term assignments. Start now to develop this daily habit.
Writing in an agenda is really the best option, as the act of writing down assignments (with explanations in your own words) will help you remember them. Also, you can color code the assignments to match your binders (get colored pens for your pencil case).
If you have an assignment that is not due for another week or so, flip to the date in your agenda that the assignment is due, and write it in big colored letters with stars **!!. You can then work backwards from the due date to divide up how you will complete the assignment.
Masco gives all freshmen an agenda – if this feels too small, get a bigger agenda so you have enough room to write down all your notes.
Organize your Study Space
Designate ONE spot in your home where you can spread out and study each day. For a student who is easily distracted this may be a desk in a quiet room, but for a student who needs to spread out and who works better with the background noise of the household around him or her, this may be the dining room table.
Drop your books here each day and keep a basic set of supplies (pencil/pens, paper, calculator, computer charger, dictionary, 3-hole punch) in this spot.
First, assess what assignments need to be done and plan out the order you want to complete them. Hardest or longest subject first? Or, start with something simple to get your focus going.
Number the assignments in your agenda, and check each off as you complete it.
(More on Task Analysis, Time Management, and How to Study in a future post).
Don’t leave your study spot until you’ve organized all your papers in your binders and the completed assignments are put in the pocket of your HW folder.
Take one final minute to organize your backpack so it is ready to “grab and go” in the morning.