Often a promise we all make to ourselves at the start of a new semester is that next year or next sem is when we get our shit sorted. Trust me. I (attempt to) organise my life approximately six times a year. And it can be damn easy to slip back to old ways.

But all hope is not lost, friends. We’ve put together some sneaky tips to help you get this semester off to a solid start.

1. Lists, Lists, Lists

In true form, I’m starting this list with lists. The perfect way to get all of the disorganised thoughts, things to be done, places to be and food to buy out of your head and onto paper. Lists can work in a multitude of ways and can always be tailored to what works best for you. But whether you write your to-do lists chronologically, alphabetically or by importance, always make them measurable. Give yourself that timeline to make sure you get it done and cross them off as you go for the ultimate sense of achievement. Simples.

2. One Thing At A Time

Getting stressed out trying to do a million things at once ain’t gonna help you. Give yourself one task to achieve and don’t move onto the next until you’ve well and truly completed it (and ticked it off your list). Simplify your life, ‘cause god knows you don’t need to complicate it any more. There is nothing worse than overcommitting your time, so don’t try to do ten thousand things at once, rather set focused, achievable and smart goals in small amounts.

3. Give Everything A Home

Marie Kondo’s new Netflix show is seriously rubbing off here. Her number one rule is that everything you own should have a home. You did the washing up? Great. Put the plates away. You bought some new clothes? Amazing, chuck them in your cupboard. Just that idea of having a routine in the way you store things will rub off on the rest of your life. This way you’re not going to be running around like a headless chicken trying to find your passport three hours before you leave for Bali.

4. Sync Those Devices

Ultimate organisation lies in all the devices that take centre stage in your life. Try downloading a task manager or calendar apps like Evernote or Todoist. These will help keep all those tasks, work shifts, assignments and deadlines in one place. Handy, hey? It’s also a good idea to sync up your photos so they automatically backup on Dropbox or Google Photos. That way you’ll never lose a precious little memory.

5. Get Money Savvy

For us students, money (or the lack of..) tends to spark anxiety. And I can’t think of many people who wouldn’t agree. But the key is, it’s not about how much you earn, it’s about what you do with your cash that’s important. Try sorting out a clear budget to stop yourself stressing about it all. Trust me, when your money is organised you’ll feel one heck of a weight off your shoulders.

But remember you’re only human, after all. Set yourself little rewards, so if you go under budget for a month, you can treat yourself with a little shoe purchase.

6. Clear Out The Junk

Tidy house, tidy mind, right? You better believe it. Find some time to declutter. Not only will you be able to flog some of your junk off Gumtree or FB Marketplace for extra cash, but you’ll also come out the other end feeling like there’s at least some organisation to your place. From a long-term perspective, try and find a regular time that suits you to tidy up and declutter. It’s going to be hard for you hoarders out there, but this is one foolproof hack to getting your life in order.

And that’s regardless if you’ve moved out or live at home, minimalism is a fabulously effective thing.

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