Getting Ready for School

It's that time! I wrote a huge Back to School post on Monday but, like I said, I still have more back to school posts coming! I actually received an email with from one of my professors about supply lists and text books this morning so it's becoming even more real that I move back in 17 days! Moving back and getting ready for college is a huge process. Now that I kind of know what I'm doing I am trying to be more efficient this year. So how am I getting ready?

Routines:
A couple of weeks ago, I posted about How I Make Sure to Start and End My Day Perfect with my routine. I really really really want to incorporate that into my routine during the school year, but the things I need to do are a little different while I'm in school.

I thrive on a routine. This is how I make sure I get things done, otherwise, they really will not happen. Most of these are self explanatory. Check email incase there are class changes or important reminders. Check planner to make sure I know exactly what's going on that day. Chores (see below). Wash dishes because I'm terrible about leaving my coffee cups unwashed for a day or two (gross I know). Otherwise I'm a pretty clean person, so I just want to straighten my room before I go to bed! 

Like in my post a couple of weeks ago, I color code each day so I only have to remake this list every few weeks or so! 

Then I sat down and wrote my daily chores list. I looked everywhere on Pinterest and I couldn't find a dorm cleaning list. Dorms are so much smaller and we don't have bathrooms, showers, sinks, or anything really substantial to clean so a lot of cleaning lists don't pertain to dorms. So I made one. These lists (aside from Sunday) are meant to take no more than 15-20 minutes a day. But, will keep your dorm clean and looking nice! 

Also, I added in other things like taking my contacts out (2nd and 4th week of the month). Also paint my nails on Sunday and Wednesday. And writing out my agenda for the next week. My roommate and I really did not clean our mirror or windows once last year. Not once. Friday and Saturday I really like to rest and have fun with my friends so there isn't much I want to clean or do. Aside from cleaning my hamster Ellie's cage on Saturdays. Sunday's I like to dedicate myself to homework, studying and cleaning so that's why Sunday's list is a little longer!

***The colors I wrote the lists in coordinate with each day's color on my "Daily Tasks" list!***

Supplies:

Sanders says hi!

These are the supplies I'm using this semester. I purchased a binder last semester but I ended up not really using it. I didn't really acquire many worksheets and anything I did have, or when I rewrote notes, they perfectly fit in each folder. As you can see, I color code everything from my folders to my stickies to my highlighters and pens. This is just what works for me!

White/Yellow: Extras/Exercising, Dates, Trips, Work, Etc.
Orange: IDSN Residential Class
Purple: IDSN Historic Interiors Class
Blue: Introduction to Psycology Class
Green: Art History
Red: Principles to Microeconomics (I still need to get a red folder and stickies)
Pink: Blog

I got this adorable pencil case from Target for only $5 in the school supplies section. I'm so in love with it! It has three separate zippers. In the larger part I'm keeping my highlighters, pens, pencils and markers. In the middle zipper I have extra stickies, scissors, a pencil sharpener, and a mini stapler with extra staples. In the smallest zipper I have those small page keeper stickies.

This year I got a magazine holder to hold the folders I'm not taking to class, my extra (blog) planner, to-do list binder (yes, I made this a thing), and my journals. That way they're not cluttering my desk or my book bag when not in use.

Textbooks:
My Freshman year I made the classic Freshman mistake. I got my textbooks from the student store. DON'T DO THAT. I can't stress that enough. Don't do that. I ended up spending between $300-$400 a semester in books that some I used a lot, and some I barely opened. This year, I ordered my books from Campus Books Rentals (I'm not being sponsored, I just really am so happy I did this). I got all of my books for under $200. Free shipping both ways. This is amazing. It really is. Each book was between $20-$30 and one was even $12! I'm vowing this year to use all of my textbooks! 

Classes:
Only one of my classes has any information on Blackboard right now. However, everyday I check and see if there are syllabi or calendars. When you get a syllabi, go ahead and print out your syllabi and stick it in your folder. Make your life easier before you get there! I remember what move-in weekend was like! I wanted to spend all of my time with my friends and exploring campus, not reading syllabi! Also, go ahead and set up your computer folders to store you digital copy of your syllabus!

Packing: 
Start Packing! Start packing little by little. Don't wait until the week before. You will regret it. You will get over whelmed. You will be crying for the next two weeks. Don't do this. Pack up things you don't need like decorations, books you're saving for the school year, silver wear, and school supplies you're not using this summer. Save the last week for clothes and essential items.

Also, make yourself a list of things you need to buy. If you're a returning college student like me, you won't need sheets or decorations and things like that, but you will need shampoo, shaving cream, and laundry supplies. Also think about things that will make your life easier this year. I realized that I really could have used a laundry accordion to air dry my delicates on!

Goals:
Much like I thrive on routines, I thrive when I have goals in mind. I wrote a Freshman year bucket list last year, and a sophomore bucket list this year. I like to write my goals on notecards and put them up where I can see them like next to my bed or on my desk!

Yourself (Relax and Recharge):
It's still summer after all, so RELAX! Binge watch Netflix, get a manicure a couple of days before, trim your hair, finish up your summer reading list. Most of all, spend time with your family and friends. The one thing I missed more than anything was my family and pets. We make sure to go out to eat once a week, watch movies and tv shows together in the evenings, and just in general have some much needed family time before I left. Even if you don't think you'll miss it, you will. (I'm tearing up just writing this and I have a pit in my stomach.) Take these next few weeks to get yourself ready, but also relax!

Want more college information? Check out my HUGE Back to School Post!

How are you getting ready for school?