How do you stay organized?

dorkypanda · Sep 17, 2014

I've been reading and seeing planners everywhere. I think it's handy and cute. I heard of trapper keeper planners and Erin condren planners that people like

Leonardsmom,LPN · Sep 17, 2014

I am using a weekly/monthly planner that I found at Walmart. It is about the size of spiral bound notebook and has plenty of space to write in. This I use for school marking down dates for quizzes, exams, reading assignments etc. What I like about this is that I can color code things, quizzes and exams in one color, reading assignments in another, designated study times in another. For any meetings and class times I like using my calendar on my phone, especially since I can set it up to alert me before something is happening.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

Good day, chryzc:

Google calendar which syncs to my iPad, Android phone, and desktop. When applicable, iReminders as well as Evernote reminders.

Thank you.

nlitened · Sep 18, 2014

Erin Condren life planner. It's pricey but I love it!

Tracy724 · Sep 18, 2014

I use Google Calendar to post a monthly view on a board....syncs with all my android devices and Chromebook. I also have the Erin Condren planner. It is pricey...with shipping it was close to $60...but I really like it.

sunshinerainbows · Sep 18, 2014

I use a big daily planner with both a weekly view and a calendar that is spread out over two pages so that it is large enough to actually write in the boxes. I use colored pens, one color for each class, to write down my assignments. I actually write the name of every class on every day regardless of whether or not there is an assignment due. If there is nothing due, I put a dash next to it. If there is something due, I write it next to the class name. It's time consuming but I usually get it done during the first day of class when we go over the syllabus, and it really helps me from accidentally overlooking a class. I also stick a post-it note on the current day and a few days ahead with little notes and reminders like "change clothes for microbiology lab" and "Buy Milk."

I also have a large white-board at home divided into the days of the week and my classes. I used a permanent marker to divide it, which comes off with an alcohol swab. I use white-board markers, again color coded with the same colors, to write down assignments. This really helps my family understand how my week is shaping up. It's also where I keep track of nursing program deadlines and application requirements.

I don't use an iPhone, iPad, or any other online tool. They frustrate me because I spend a lot of time learning how to get the most out of them, and they never end up being very practical.

The planner I use is from "At-A-Glance." It cost around $30.

RunBabyRN · Sep 18, 2014

I bought a weekly planner at the campus bookstore and I would write in all of my assignments from my syllabi in PENCIL (as things have been known to change...). I do, however, keep events and such in my iPhone calendar, which is shared with my husband, so that we both know what's going on with each other's schedules, which has made life much easier.

crazyemtchic · Sep 18, 2014

I got one of the planners that they give out at school. I write down all my assignments into every day and use highlighters as well to color coordinate all of my classes. The book I got has little "stickers" that says "Assignment due, test, etc that I put on the larger calendar portion. It works well for me.

malamud69, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2014

Index cards

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Sep 18, 2014

I bought a planner that fits into the front of my binder. Everytime something is due, I get it out and write it in. I check it every morning and haven't missed anything yet.

honeyrose29 · Sep 18, 2014

I use a daily planner that has the month at a glance, as well as daily view. It's the size of a standard notebook and it keeps me sane! When I get my syllabi, I write down every exam/quiz/paper due date in the monthly view and I use different colored highlighters to make each one stand out in its own color. On the daily view, I write as assignments are given, plus that is where I put any additional things going on in my life. Those are also highlighted in their own color.

It may sound like a lot of work, but once its done, you can flip to the month and know exactly what you have due and when, just at a glance.

I'm also a bit OCD, so I coordinate every class with the color I use in the planner. Chemistry is pink highlight, pink binder, pink notebook, pink folder. Nursing Skills I is purple binder, folder, etc.. you get the idea. I never have to look twice because I know what to grab and what goes with what. I know that's a bit much for most people.. but hey, it's who I am. :)

Also, using those post-it tabs is a life saver. If you get the ones that are big enough to write on (thumb size), you can easily organize your binders so that you can flip right to the section you need. They are a huge part of my organization for my nursing skills where I have a huge binder and have to flip between skills mastery lists, practice procedures, and modules.