Part of being organized is having a sense of purpose and knowing what it is you're working toward. Without goal-setting you are more likely to pursue tasks aimlessly without any motivation or sense of urgency. For this reason, it is important to set goals and refer to them whenever a task seems daunting or pointless. Consider why completing the task is important to achieving your long-term goals. Even if the task does not seem to relate directly to your goals, recognize how doing well in school increases your opportunities.
Being organized requires having a clear and chronological plan of action. Time management involves prioritizing tasks and recognizing prerequisite tasks. To help you prioritize, create a list of every task that must be completed in order to achieve the main, overall objective. Then, rank each task according to importance and urgency. For example, if your task is to write an essay in two weeks, deciding on a topic is a more urgent step that takes priority over learning how to reference something according to Chicago style.
Do not rely too heavily on your ability to mentally store information. When you are faced with a new task or introduced to an important piece of information, write it down. Keep a notebook planner to ensure you do not forget important study information, school events and assignments. Carry your notebook planner around with you everywhere so you can write down new information as soon as you encounter it. Refer to the notebook planner regularly.
Organization requires you to think ahead, imagine yourself in future situations and predict what you will need in those moments. For example, before going to your exam, picture yourself at a desk in the classroom with the exam in front of you. This will allow you to visualize your need for a pencil, a calculator and a backup pencil in case the first pencil breaks. Being prepared involves expecting the unexpected and anticipating all possible scenarios.