Backpack, book bag, school bag, haversack, knapsack, pack, rucksack…no matter what you call it, if you are a student you probably use one, and chances are it’s not as organized as it should be. If you are having a troubles staying on top of your school work, then look no further for the solution than the book-carrying container right on your shoulders. By simply cleaning out your bag and organizing it, you will be more likely to stay on top of your school work. At the very least, you’ll know where to find it…
Clean Up the Mess
Start off your quest for a cleaner backpack by cleaning out the mess that’s in there right now. That’s right, dump your books on the ground, and pull out the pencils, pens, erasers, loose papers, and candy wrappers. You might even want to shake it or vacuum it out to get it squeaky clean.
Categorize and Organize
Backpacks were not meant to take the place of trash cans or filing cabinets. They are meant to carry your books, classroom notes, assignments, and other belongings from your dorm room to class and back again. Notes and other loose papers can be easily crumpled up or misplaced in a messy backpack. Finding a system that helps you keep track of everything as it enters and leaves at either place is essential to keeping your backpack clean and organized. For example, you can use separate binders for notes and handouts that you carry in your book bag. Some people separate books and classroom supplies by color coding them or labeling them. You can also use a filing cabinet or simple accordion file to keep track of everything.
Utilize any pockets or sections in your backpack to separate school supplies from personal items such as mp3 players, phones, makeup, or deodorant. Keep these items categorized and separated so that you can find them quickly.
Invest in Yourself
A good backpack can make all the difference in being organized for school. A new backpack should have multiple compartments, which you can designate to hold specific items like books, notebooks, or personal belongings. This way you will know exactly where everything is when you need it. Notebooks, binders, and cases can also help to keep things where they belong within the compartments. In addition, make sure to save a little space in your backpack for a day planner, Smartphone or Tablet. This investment will pay huge dividends in organization.
Keep Going
Take some time at least once a week to go through your backpack, clean it out, and remove old things you don’t need any more. Some clutter is inevitable, however, sorting through the clutter once a week will help keep the mess to a minimum and give you a chance to deal with forgotten items.
Like anything else, it takes work and continual effort to stay organized. There is no one size fits all system to keep your bag organized. Find what works for you and stick with it. Pretty soon you will see results; your backpack will be clean and organized, and you will be able to focus more of your attention on more important things like partying…I mean learning.
