how to: stay organized!!!

Herro, everybody! Do you ever just have those days where you feel like the world is spiraling out of control around you, and there's nothing you can do about it? Time management and general organization are two key traits one must adapt to regain control of his or her life. Being a student, this  method of attacking life has been ingrained in my brain by teachers, mentors, and parents. In today's post, I wanted to share with you all my system for staying on top of the ball with my academics, extracurriculars, family, and social life.

1 // lay the foundation. 

For me, it's important to have a basis for my organizational system where I record anything and everything about myself. I'm definitely a pen and paper girl, so naturally, I have found an agenda to be the most useful source for efficient planning. Recording and scheduling help me keep each aspect of my life categorized and under my control (which is not as hard as it sounds! :).

During this school year, I've been using the Lilly Pulitzer Jumbo Agenda 2013-2014, but it tragically broke apart a couple of weeks ago (you can imagine my panic ;). So, I ended up investing in the Emily Ley 2014 Simplified Planner from their last batch of the year (don't worry; the 2015 version is coming out this fall!). After playing around with it for a couple of weeks, I've finally found a system that works really well for me.

**Side Note: If you're interested in a side-by-side comparison of the two planners, let me know in the comments section. Does anyone else get weirdly excited over organizational supplies, or is it just me ;)?

I love that this planner incorporates work or school to-do's, family life and chores, and social events all into one page. It has been SO helpful to have it all in one place rather than flipping back and forth between multiple calendars. Additionally, the margins provide ample space for notes, to-do's, and even a few errant doodles! 

2 // help yourself out with constant reminders!

When I get fo' realz busy, Sticky Notes are my savior! Like most people, I have a tendency to become extremely slightly scatterbrained. Therefore, I need loud and vibrant reminders about the 1,001 things on my to-do list. That's where the Stickies come in! I don't really have a particular brand preference; I'll just use whatever I have lying around (which is a pretty significant amount considering I tend to accumulate them...not sure why??). They have become ever so helpful and a part of my daily organizational routine!

3 // prep the night before...

Every night before I go to bed, I try to take 10-20 minutes to update my agenda, pack up my textbooks, lay out my clothes for the next day, tidy up my room (there's a 50-50 chance of this one happening...), turning back my bed, etc. This helps not only with my actual preparedness for the day ahead of me, but it also puts my mind at ease after a long, hard day of work and reenergizes me to tackle the challenges of the next. 

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Thanks so much for taking the time to read today's blog post! Let me know if you have any other major tips for general organization because I am always searching!! I really appreciate any and all feedback I get from you all. I hope each of you has a fabulously blessed day! :)

**Poised and Preppy is not affiliated with or sponsored by any of the brands included in this post. I do, however, have a coupon code (PPCODE20) with Benevolent Jewels to receive 20% off of your purchase.**