Moving from high school to college can be intimidating, even if you’ve built up your college credit through dual enrollment or AP courses, deciding to declare your major can still invoke anxiety in many college students. The good news is that most students entering college or early in their college careers have time to figure out a major.
When you'll declare your major
Generally, college students do not need to pick a major until they have completed quite a bit of general education (to make your bachelor’s degree more well-rounded) credits. Usually these more low-level general credits make up around 60 of the ninety credits in a bachelor’s degree. However, if you end up choosing to declare a very specific major (like pre-med or a more technical field) you may need more specialized credits than say an English major.
If you want to see the types of general education courses that fit into many different majors, be sure to check out this previous post from our team on the credit breakdown of a bachelor’s degree. And, if you get to the end of your general education courses and you still don’t have an idea of what you want to do, then, there are some general majors that lend themselves to lots of different career paths. It might be a good idea to pick one of those. Many (maybe even most!) students do just that.
Take a logical approach to declare your major
According to Cairn University, “Many freshmen enter college undeclared and even those who think they know what they want to study end up changing their minds.” The experts at Cairn advise students to think about general areas they may want to pursue after college and try to choose an area of study that fits with those goals. For example, if you think you might want to do some sort of social work or have an interest in the human mind or human behavior, psychology might be a good general degree to pursue. And, if you really have no idea and you want some flexibility in your class choices, than a liberal arts/interdisciplinary studies degree could be your ticket to ride.
Accelerated Pathways is a great choice for those who are undecided. We offer personalized degree pathways that are guaranteed to transfer into your school and degree of choice and we have one-on-one academic advisors to help you understand your options. Learn about the most popular majors and take a step towards your degree by speaking with our student counselors.
If you’re looking for the most popular majors across the United States that are a good general bet, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, they include things like:
Business
Health professions
Social sciences/history
Psychology
Finally, if you are still unsure, it’s always a good idea to look at what worked for you in high school. What subjects made you the most excited? What subjects came to you more easily? Those may lead you down a path towards an area where you can really make a difference in your life and perhaps the lives of others.
To learn more about Pearson Accelerated Pathways or to book some time to speak with our higher education experts, reach out to us today!
College enrollment numbers fell in both fall 2020 and spring 2021. Community college numbers took the largest dip, down 11% spring 2021 according to recent data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
It’s sobering news just as we’re contemplating our lives looking more normal. And, it has larger implications for long term success for marginalized communities. According to Mamie Voight, interim president of the Institute for Higher Education Policy, “These drastic shifts in enrollment are the latest example of how the pandemic has derailed higher education plans for students across the country, and exposed and deepened inequities along racial and socioeconomic lines. The drop in community college enrollment in particular will largely be felt for generations.”
Our own internal research shows a similar story. According to the 2020 Pearson Global Learners Survey, 74% of respondents feel that “fewer people will be able to afford a university education as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Evidence suggests that the effects of COVID-19 on higher education could be lasting. with more than 80% of learners in the United States saying they think colleges and universities will be fundamentally different post pandemic. According to Karin Cantrell, Research and Insights Lead within Pearson Online Learning Services (POLS) “There’s a lot to be on the lookout for as we monitor the seismic activity in the higher ed landscape. Low enrollment in community college is going to have a long-lasting impact on the level of skills and credentials in the workforce. While elite institutions will still appeal to a certain segment, others will be looking for different ways to become employable.”
Opportunity for Learners through Online Programs
It’s not all doom and gloom. Online learning has been picking up some of the slack in higher education and it appears to be here to stay. According to NACADA, “Online education is an integral part of higher education...and online enrollments have continued to grow at rates far in excess of the total higher education student population.” This points to a future where online learning is even more prevalent with the vast majority of those surveyed (87%) saying that online learning at the university level not going anywhere. Globally, 78% of those surveyed believe online learning will give people more access to a quality education. However, some experts caution that while providing low-cost opportunities for higher education, online learning can lead to inequalities amongst at-risk students for retention and overall performance.
Looking for an online program that can help you succeed? Pearson Accelerated Pathways provides pathways to online education coupled with personalized degree planning and academic advising. It’s a combination of online courses and resources meant to reduce college costs and lead to success in online education. Learn more about our programs today!
While online learning isn’t going anywhere, we shouldn’t just embrace it without question. Online education requires a student to be driven and organized with their time. In order to help online students feel more connected and have a good experience, Drexel University’s Master of Science in Higher Education experimented with programs to personalize the online experience of their courses. Among their findings? “The role of an academic advisor is essential in creating a sense of community and connecting online students to the institution.”
If you’re looking for online programs for college, look for established online programs that provide well-rounded resources for students to excel in online environments. Drexel University’s research indicates that online students want programs that are personalized and where they can interact in ways that work for their schedule. “Technology allows academic advisors to reach out...and bring the campus to online students,” reports NACADA.
Pearson Accelerated Pathways was designed specifically for that purpose. Our online programs offer a unique blend of custom degree pathways designed specifically for each student’s goals and needs coupled with academic advising to ensure students are set up for success in online learning. To learn more about our programs, sign up for a free advising session today.
As a homeschooler, Cheyenne was used to self-paced learning and defining her own areas of interest. She’d worked with her dad to plan out her educational path from a young age and she’d worked with her mom to execute on that plan. So, when her family discovered Accelerated Pathways (back then it was called College Plus), they realized it was a formalized version of what they’d already been doing at home for years. So, it’s no surprise that it worked well for their family and allowed Cheyenne to get ahead in college during her high school years.
“We heard about Accelerated Pathways from one of our homeschool friends,” says Cheyenne. “My older brother was in it for a year before I started. We were both interested because we wanted to jump start college.”
Are you looking for a way to get college credit? Pearson Accelerated Pathways works with all kinds of students (including high schoolers to get college credit!). Learn more today.
Cheyenne worked with her dad to create her overall curriculum, but she also relied on the program’s academic advisors to help her chart the quickest pathway to a college degree.
“Because I came from a homeschool environment, I was used to defining my own school curriculum. And, with Accelerated Pathways I was able to continue to be self-directed and chart my own path with their guidance,” says Cheyenne. “When I was younger, my father was big on us learning how to teach ourselves what we needed to know and not relying on others to give us the answers. I found that mentality helped me do well in college and beyond.”
Cheyenne emphasizes that she wasn’t intimidated by the idea of going to college online. In fact, she found that to be a big selling point with Accelerated Pathways because it allowed her to maximize her time in high school.
“I was 16 when I started dual enrollment with Accelerated Pathways. The program wasn’t scary or intimidating. I wouldn’t say that I found studying or learning easy, but I don’t think the fact that I was taking college credit during high school every really phased me,” explains Cheyenne. “In fact, I was mostly just excited that I didn't have to do double the schoolwork. I didn’t want to be in college until I was 24 or 25 and I was able to accomplish a lot of my high school and college credit simultaneously.”
And, even while pursuing dual enrollment, Cheyenne loved that Accelerated Pathways gave her the freedom to pursue activities outside of school.
“Because of the program I was able to travel a lot and I got to experience a lot of different things outside of school. Going to college through Accelerated Pathways allowed me the freedom to do that and I didn’t feel like I had to sit in class or waste time studying for credits I didn’t need,” says Cheyenne.
Ultimately, Cheyenne knows that Accelerated Pathways was the right path for her.
“With Accelerated Pathways I didn’t have to put my life on hold at all. If I didn’t have this program, I don’t think I would have wanted to put all that time, money, and effort to going to college. I feel like it’s important in the workplace but I it wasn’t really getting me to where I ultimately wanted to be.”
If you’ve been doing any research into college, you may have heard how important it is to get a degree from an accredited academic institution. And, if you haven’t heard it, you need to hear it! Going to an accredited college is super important!
Why? Accreditation is a mark that your degree is legitimate and has been awarded by a quality academic institution and not some fly-by-night diploma mill. So, if you want to be taken seriously by employers (and by your extended family), you should plan to get a degree from an accredited source.
So, now that we’ve established it’s important. What is accreditation?
In short, accreditation is a “seal of approval” from a third party, assuring a school offers an academically sound program.
While each school can be unique in requirements and teaching methods, accreditation strives to maintain a level of consistency in educational quality from school to school. In order to attain accreditation, schools must undergo a review process and meet a set of academic standards.
This is where I point out that Pearson Accelerated Pathways partners with more than 2,000 regionally accredited colleges and universities, so whatever path you choose, when you get a degree through Pearson Accelerated Pathways and our partner institutions, it'll be accredited.
Why is Accreditation Important?
We spoke with our Director, Central Registrar’s Office, Jared Brandau, to get the full story on why accreditation matters when you’re thinking about college.
“Every online student needs to know about accreditation. It can be a factor used to gauge the quality of the education you’ll receive from an institution. It’s also an important indicator of that institution’s overall health and longevity,” says Brandau. There are three levels of accreditation: national, regional, and specialized and the most rigorous of the three is regional accreditation.
“Regional accreditation is the gold standard in that it takes the longest and involves the largest financial stake for a school to gain that accreditation,” says Brandau. “It doesn’t mean that nationally-accredited schools or programs aren’t academically rigorous necessarily. It just means they haven’t invested the time or resources into getting that regional accreditation.”
Take time to Check Accreditation Standing Too
Before making a college decision, don’t forget to investigate a school or program’s accreditation standing too. “Each school is required to publish their standing within their accrediting body and if they have been found noncompliant in any area,” explains Brandau. “Just because they are accredited doesn’t mean they are doing well or are in good standing.”
The accreditation published reports delve into topics around an institution’s financial standing and their ability to keep accurate records. This can be important for smaller schools to remain financially solvent by proving they are able to balance their books. “By investigating before you commit to a school, you’ll be able to make sure your dream school isn’t in financial trouble,” adds Brandau. All this might sound a little overdramatic, but it has real-world implications. In the early 2000s, ITT Tech was famous for their slick commercials and aggressive sales tactics. It was nationally accredited but it’s accreditation was revoked, and the for-profit school ultimately shut down. Some former ITT Tech employees have since spoken out about ITT Tech’s emphasis on profits over quality education. Checking a school’s standing with the accrediting body is a good way to make sure they aren’t on the verge of closing their doors or they aren’t engaged in any nefarious recruiting or other practices. In the end, it’s better to waste a little time doing your research than investing your time and money into a school on the brink of closure.
Pearson Accelerated Pathways works mostly with regionally accredited schools because those are the most reliable, however, we can map to programs that are nationally accredited or even those that hold specialized accreditations, if that is a student’s wish. We’re all about tailoring an educational path that is going to be the best aligned to each students' goals. Want to learn more about accreditation? Try these resources:
When he graduated high school, Joshua started taking college classes at his local community college. After all, isn’t that what students are supposed to do after graduation? He did well on some of his introductory classes, but after a while, he started to get nervous. He was signed up for the most generic degree that he could find, and this bothered him. What was he going to do with his degree? What career did he want to pursue? Since he didn’t know the answer to these questions, he started to doubt the wisdom of spending all that money on something he might not use. Soon, he dropped out of college and got a job instead.
Now, a dozen years later, Joshua is in his thirties and considering whether a degree would help his career now. He has worked hard and made his own way, but advancement options are limited. What’s more, he recently got married and has a wife and future kids to think about. Should he get a degree now? Does he even have time to study with all the other commitments in his life?
Here at Pearson Accelerated Pathways, we talk to people like Joshua all the time. If you have a few college credits to your name, but you never finished your degree, you’re not alone. In fact, 37 million Americans have had the same experience. These days, 40% of college students drop out before college graduation!
If you dropped out of college and are starting to wonder if you should go back, we can help. We spoke with two of our Admissions Counselors (who talk with returning students all the time!) to compile this list of four questions you should ask yourself when considering your next move.
1. "Why did I drop out of college?"
Why do so many people decide not to finish college? Many college dropouts report common themes, with financial concerns making the top of the list. Other reasons include being unprepared for the academic challenges of higher education, being derailed by unexpected life events, worrying that they chose the wrong career or degree, not knowing what to study, or thinking that college isn’t worth it.
In response to these roadblocks, many students end up entering the work force and carrying on with their lives, trying their best to compete in a society that still, for the most part, considers a college degree to be essential. Some of them succeed, using their skills and ingenuity to work their way up the career ladder rather than relying on a degree. Thriving without a college degree is certainly possible—and the right decision for some people.
2. "What are the benefits of going back to school?"
To decide if college is right for you, consider how going back to school might help you, your career, and your family. Here are just a few common reasons that adults choose to finish college:
They can't move forward in their career without a degree.
They want to change careers, either for more profitability or more job satisfaction.
They want a degree for added credibility.
They want to set a good educational example for their children.
They have raised their children, and now they want to focus on their own education.
If done for the right reasons, a college degree can be extremely profitable and personally rewarding. Would finishing your degree would benefit you? If so, how can you make it happen?
If you’ve considered college, but you’re worried about how to fit a degree into your life, you aren’t alone. When I spoke with our Admissions Counselors, Madison Baldridge and Irene Carlson, they mentioned that they talk to hundreds of students thinking about returning to college. They know a few things about the common fears that students have around going back to school. Prospective students often wonder:
"Can I afford college? I don't want to drop out again because of lack of funds."
"Will I have the time to study? I already have a full schedule of responsibilities at work and home."
"How will I be able to study and take care of my kids."
"Will I have to start over?"
Have any of these thoughts crossed your mind? College is definitely hard work, so it’s good that you’ve been seriously considering how obstacles might impact your decision. However, in my conversation with Madison and Irene, they also shared how students are overcoming these fears and making college fit into their lives. Which brings me to the final question you should ask yourself...
4. "How can I make college work for me?"
If you are determined to finish your degree, you have options. Many colleges offer online coursework, night classes, or local two-year degree programs to help students like you return to school.
But here at Accelerated Pathways, we think you deserve more. Our program offers:
Ultimate flexibility with self-paced courses. There are no weekly deadlines, and you can take just one course at a time.
Pay as you go! No need to pay for a whole semester or year at once.
A streamlined digital classroom that saves you money instead of making you pay for extras you don't need. (Credits through Accelerated Pathways are 36% cheaper than traditional college credits.)
And best yet - you can save as many of your old college credits as possible and our team will help you find a place for them in your new degree plan. The work you put in before you dropped out doesn't have to go to waste!
When talking with concerned students, Admissions Counselor Madison Baldridge asks them to be honest about how much work they can put in. Can you set aside an hour or two every night? Are your weekdays full, but you can study for hours on the weekends? Whatever your situation, Accelerated Pathways can create a flexible plan that works for you. If you’re nervous, just start with a few courses and see how it goes! Since you can pay as you go, you don’t have to make a huge financial commitment to get started, and you can pause your studies whenever you need a break.
You can make college work for you. Going back to school takes dedication and hard work, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. If you’d like to learn more about how Accelerated Pathways can help you pursue your degree, schedule some time to talk with our team. Madison, Irene, and the whole Admissions team would love to tell you more about how we can help your college dreams come true.
High school graduation season is still a month or so away, but when it comes to researching college options for your child, it’s never too soon to start.
Going to college is a big decision that often necessitates taking out student loans. Regardless of whether you or your child will take responsibility for repaying that debt, you’ll want to keep that in mind. Why? Because graduating college with a student loan burden on par with the cost of a new Tesla can be a hard way for a grad to start their 20s.
In addition to planning for tuition, fees, and related expenses (e.g., textbooks)t, you'll need to be mindful of safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. You and your child will need to decide whether learning in an on-campus environment, as opposed to remotely, is the best fit for them.
What You Need to Know about Tuition
When it comes to preparing students for college, you should know that community college is a solid budget-conscious option. If your child knows they want to earn a degree but hasn’t yet decided what to major in, community college can be a great place for students to earn their general education credits.
General education includes courses in English, math, humanities (e.g., art, music, and ethics), and social sciences (e.g., including psychology and political science). All degree programs require a certain number of general education credits.
Caution: Before your student dives headfirst into community college coursework, you’ll want to research whether the credit hours they’ll earn are transferable. If they already have an idea of the school to which they hope to transfer to finish their degree, they’ll want to find out if that school will accept their gen-ed credit hours. If not, they’ll need to retake courses, which will end up costing more in the long run.
Other things to keep in mind:
In-state public schools cost less than in-state private schools.
Out-of-state public schools and private schools typically are the most expensive options.
Students enrolled in online courses can save a significant amount of money on room and board, and they also avoid the cost of on-campus parking.
Online, pay-as-you-go college courses can help you (and your child) avoid student loans.
Preparing Students for College During COVID-19
Another thing you and your college-age child will need to decide is how they want to learn amid the current pandemic. While some colleges are offering in-person courses, others are operating entirely online.
Attending class in person clearly involves some risk, but each student (and their family) needs to decide how much risk they’re comfortable with. Alternatively, if they’re leaning toward online learning but are concerned about their social life, they don’t need to fret. There are still ways to make friends as an online college student.
Helping Your Child Choose a Degree Program that Fits Their Career Goals
If your child already knows they want to be a biologist, mechanical engineer, or statistician, for example, choosing a major will be easy. But if they’re like the millions of students who don’t quite know which career they want to pursue, deciding what to major in can be a little tricky.
Some students choose a major because they fall in love with the subject matter after taking an introductory course. Others might research majors that tend to lead to the highest salaries, because they want to earn a degree that offers a strong return on their investment.
If your child has no idea what to study, the good news is that most schools don’t require students to declare a major right out of the gate. Encourage them to make the most out of their general education courses and to take some time to explore until they find what interests them.
Explore Affordable, Flexible Options for Earning a Degree Online
If you’re interested in learning more about nontraditional, online college experience options that will enable your child to earn an affordable degree on their own terms, Pearson Accelerated Pathways can help you and your future college student map out a plan. Not only do most Accelerated Pathways students graduate faster than those who choose in-person or other online learning options, but they can also log in to complete their coursework from anywhere they have a Wi-Fi connection. (Fact: There are worse ways to earn a degree than doing it while relaxing on a beach or traveling the world.)
Are you ready to learn more about how our advisors can help your child customize their college experience based on their goals, their preferred learning style, and the pace at which they want to learn? Discover how Accelerated Pathways can help them earn a flexible, pay-as-you-go, no-loans-required college degree.
Interested in more resources to help choose the right educational path for you or your child? Check out these posts:
Have you been wondering how this income tax season might impact you as an online student (or as the parent of an online student)? We get a lot of questions about taxes from our Accelerated Pathways students, so we reached out to our resident expert, Student Services Manager Olivia Byrd, to get answers.
(Of course, here at Accelerated Pathway, our expertise is education, not taxes, so please check with your personal tax expert for any tax advice or specific questions about your situation.)
Here are a few of your most frequently asked questions about paying taxes as an Accelerated Pathways student:
“Are my Pearson Accelerated Pathways tuition expenses or courses/book costs eligible for deduction?”
Some of your college expenses (such as ALEKS, CLEP, DSST, and certain other college courses) may be deductible, but Pearson Accelerated Pathways doesn’t impact your taxes the same way a college or university would. Since we're not a credit-granting institution as defined by the IRS, we aren’t eligible to issue you a 1098-T form for deductible education expenses. Please check with your personal tax expert regarding the eligibility of any of your other education expenses.
“Does Pearson Accelerated Pathways send out 1098-T forms?”
No, sorry! Pearson Accelerated Pathways does not meet the IRS criteria to issue a 1098-T. This is because we work alongside colleges and universities rather than granting degrees ourselves.
“Can Pearson Accelerated Pathways be paid with 529 savings funds?”
Eligible expenses vary from plan to plan, so you should check with your fund's plan administrator about what educational expenses are deductible in your state. Let them know that Pearson Accelerated Pathways is not a Title IV institution. With this information, they can check Pearson Accelerated Pathways' eligibility and what plan category your expenses would fall under, if eligible.
“What documents can you provide me for tax purposes?”
Please check with your personal tax expert regarding the eligibility of all your education expenses. If you need any documentation for tax purposes, we can provide invoices and a Proof of Enrollment. If you need it, our EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-1603684.
“Are tuition benefits through my employer taxed?”
Federal income tax law allows for several tax benefits for education, including potential exclusions or deductions for tuition assistance. If you’re curious about how the current tuition benefits tax law might apply to you, you can read more on the IRS website. Please check with your personal tax expert regarding the eligibility of all your education expenses, credits, and deductions.
“Are the tuition expenses of the school I want to graduate from eligible for deduction? What about my books?”
Yes. In almost every instance, your college will meet the IRS criteria for tuition expense deductions. You can expect your college to issue a 1098-T by January 31st if you’ve had tuition expenses in the previous year. For specific questions about books or other non-tuition expenses at your school, we’d suggest checking with your personal tax preparer.
If you have any more questions, please reach out to our fantastic student services team by calling (866) 989-5432. If you aren’t currently a student with Pearson Accelerated Pathways, but you’d like to learn more about how our program works, welcome! Take a few moments to find out if we’re a good fit to help you achieve your college goals.
While April 15th isn’t a party for anyone, there a few things busy students can do to make paying income tax less stressful, whether you file your own or take your documents to an accountant. Since we’re just a month away from the tax deadline (at least so far), now is also great time to set up a good system for the coming year so you can breathe a sigh of relief next time you file.
Here are a few tips for keeping your tax documents ready to go:
Designate an organizational "home" for tax-related documents.
Keep all your financial documents in a safe place, whether that be a lockbox, fireproof safe, or even a simple file folder or box in a secure area of your house. By creating a “home base” for your documents, you’ll know exactly where to put W2s, bank statements, or receipts throughout the year. When it’s time to do your taxes, all your documents will be ready for you (or your accountant).
Open mail as soon as you get it.
It’s easy to ignore that growing stack of mail on the counter, but resist! When you walk in the door, go to your mail and sort it (right over the trash can if possible so you can throw away junk mail as you go). Anything that might pertain to taxes (like invoices or credit card statements) goes right into your tax document box. Not only will this system keep you organized for tax day, but it will also make your life so much easier if you ever get audited.
Make a spreadsheet.
If organized numbers make you as happy as they make me , try making a simple spreadsheet to keep track of your expenses. In the short term, this might help you visualize where your money is going each month and benefit your budget. In the long term, some of these expenditures may be tax deductible or have a tax credit, such as certain kinds of environmentally-friendly home improvements, school expenses, or childcare costs. If you typically itemize your deductions, taking the time to write down deductible expenses as you go will save you loads of time when tax season rolls around.
Go digital.
Online banking and digital credit card statements make keeping track of income and deductible expenses easy, especially if you’re recording everything in a spreadsheet (see previous point). While it’s helpful to have printed copies of certain documents like W2s or 1099s (income received from non-employers), going digital will help you seamlessly pull what you need into a digital tax service like TurboTax. Around 90% of taxpayers currently file their taxes electronically with online services or software. E-filing is convenient, increases information security, often provides faster refunds than filing by mail, and is a lot cheaper than hiring a tax professional.
Ask a professional.
While it's true that e-filing on your own can save you money, it's never a bad idea to get a professional opinion on your taxes if you have any questions. Credentials definitely matter when it comes to entrusting someone with your financial information. If you’re going to pay someone to do your taxes, here are a few tips from the IRS to make sure you find someone reputable.
Take advantage of tax deductions and credits.
There are a few legal ways to reduce the amount of taxes you pay. Tax deductions reduce your total taxable income up front, while tax credits are subtracted from the taxes you owe to create a lower overall tax liability. If you take more of a DIY tax approach, you can research your eligibility for tax deductions and credits online, with resources such as this list of common tax deductions from Nerd Wallet. If you’re hiring someone to prepare your taxes, make sure to ask them if you’re a good candidate for itemized deductions or available tax credits.
Document everything.
The IRS recommends that you keep tax-related documents for at least 3 years in case of an audit. It is especially important to save income information and receipts that prove tax-deductible expenses if you typically get the itemized deduction rather than the standard deduction, or if you’re self-employed.
An easy way to keep track of receipts is the envelope system. Label envelopes with the name of each month of the year and fill each envelope with that month’s deductible expense receipts as you go along.
Curious how taxes impact you as an Accelerated Pathways student? Check out our post on taxes for online students for more specific tax information related to your college expenses or talk to one of our friendly student services advisors at student at services-ap@pearson.com. Or, if you want to find out more about Accelerated Pathways and how we facilitate online students, reach out to us!
Whether you started college right out of high school or you’re an adult learner working to finish your degree, life is crazy busy. For many people, the realities of life have caught up to those hopeful resolutions we made on New Year’s Day a few months ago.
If you’re one of the thousands of people who resolved to get organized this year, you might feel like the mythological Sisyphus and his boulder that never quite made it up the hill. Don’t give up yet! It’s time to give your goals a boost and remember exactly how much organization can benefit your life. Research shows that the advantages of organization include:
Nearly everyone has at least one area of life that would benefit from organization, whether it be home, work, school, relationships, finances, goals, personal health, or all of the above! Here is a list of practical tips that can help you take a small step today toward a happier, more peaceful existence.
1. Figure out what works for you
Organization should be defined by what works for you and the people you live with, not what a magazine article or home designer says you should do. If you like alphabetized workspaces, great! If you don’t like your creativity hampered by too many neat boxes, that’s okay too. (Albert Einstein had a messy desk, after all.)
At the end of the day, getting organized isn’t about outside opinions. It’s about what helps your life run more smoothly and happily.
2. Create a centralized to-do list and calendar
One of my favorite ways to stay organized is to have a Grand Central Station for all my tasks, thoughts, reminders, appointments, school deadlines, lists, and anything else I need to be able to find or remember! My mom does this with a wall calendar that she keeps filled with all the family schedules and activities, while I prefer to keep my family organized electronically with Google Keep and my cell phone’s calendar. I turn on reminders for my calendar and sync Google Keep across my devices so all my lists and reminders can go with me wherever I go. Whether you prefer to have physical or electronic organization, choose one method and always use that method for everything you need to remember. Don’t assume you’ll remember anything. I cannot count the times I’ve come up with a shopping list in my head only to forget to write it down. That’s the brilliance of a centralized hub of organization. It’s like an external brain.
3. Declutter for good
If you need to get rid of stuff (and who doesn’t...), don’t just throw it away. If your extra possessions are in good condition, take a couple extra minutes to drop those bags off at a donation center. Not only will you be freeing up space in your home (and brain), but someone else will be blessed by your efforts.
One of the most important principles of accomplishing any goal is to start small. Don’t try to organize your entire life in an afternoon, or even a week. If you overwhelm yourself, you will be setting yourself up for failure.
Instead, pick the most pressing area of your life and make only one or two small adjustments. If you don’t have any time, set a timer for just 5 minutes and do what you can in that time. Small steps will get you there faster than you think. If you only spend 5 minutes a day, that’s over 30 hours over the course of a year!
5. It doesn't have to be Instagram-worthy
Organization doesn’t have to look like Martha Stewart or Marie Kondo took over your life. Practicality can sometimes win over aesthetics, especially in spaces that receive a lot of traffic or clutter. Take a deep breath and ask yourself what this space needs to accomplish in your home or workplace. It doesn’t have to look like a perfect Instagram post all the time. It just has to do its job.
6. Think of others
If you are organizing a shared space, make sure the other people involved are comfortable with the changes you want to make. You may have to compromise to accommodate more tidy or less organized personalities. If you are sharing an area with others, it’s okay to ask them for help keeping it clean. You could make a chart of responsibilities, divide up responsibilities by what each of you prefers to do, create a reward system, or take turns being the organizer each week. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection. Any small step you can take together toward a calmer, more streamlined space is worth it!
7. Prioritize
When you pick an area of your life to organize, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all that you want to accomplish. The best way to see meaningful change is to prioritize what is most important or causing the most problems. For example, if you want to organize your kitchen, think about what part of the kitchen gets most cluttered and causes you the most stress. Perhaps it’s the never-ending stream of dishes. Think about how you can streamline your dishwashing process. Maybe you can move frequently-used dishes to a cabinet closer to the sink or dishwasher, ask everyone to put their used dishes directly in the dishwasher rather than leaving them on the table or in the sink, or set a timer for 10 minutes of dishwashing before bed each night so the pile doesn’t loom so large. Whatever area of life you want to organize, pick one piece and start there.
8. Go with the flow
Organizing doesn’t have to painfully go against your grain. Instead of trying to create habits that you won’t enjoy or connect with, find ways to work within your preferences. Pursue who you actually want to be instead of chasing an idealistic picture of someone you think you should be.
The best way to create a lasting habit is to find a creative way of using your personality quirks and personal drive to accomplish your goals. Enjoy music? Throw on some tunes while picking up clutter. Like to socialize? Talk on the phone while you tackle that laundry. Organize your office files while listening to that audio book you’ve been wanting to read. Combine something you enjoy with something you have to do to make the whole experience more enjoyable.
9. Create dedicated stations
Creating special stations for common situations or needs can save lots of time and energy. Spilled something on the floor? Having all your cleaning supplies in a dedicated closet, cabinet, or caddy means fewer steps and less stress for you. Always hunting for your wallet or keys? Create a station by the door to hold all your going-out items so you can simply gather things at the door before you go. Wherever you find yourself needing items over and over, ask yourself if you can create a station to automatically set yourself up for success.
10. Be prepared for mishaps
Accidents happen, but you can improve many difficult situations by having a plan.
Your situation will be unique, but a few preparation ideas include: back up important documents, entrust spare keys to a friend or family member, talk with members of your household about what to do in case of fire or a storm emergency, post a list of numbers to call for common emergencies (such as 911, poison control, or animal control), start a rainy-day savings account, or keep a small amount of cash on hand.
Many people like to have a portable bag of emergency essentials in their home or car (often including food, water, first aid supplies, and a change of clothes) just in case they need to grab it in during a serious emergency. Many accidents that we prepare for do not ever happen, but it is okay to thoughtfully consider a few essentials that might be handy in a range of situations.
There are a lot of opinions about organization, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. What do you need to be happy in your spaces and habits? That’s the most important question. Your house doesn’t have to look like a museum, your car doesn't have to look like it was just driven off the showroom floor, and your exercise routine doesn’t have to mirror anyone else’s. Organization is not an end goal. It’s just a tool to help you live a better life. As you balance school with the rest of your priorities, embrace small organization steps that can free up your time and mental energy so that you can thrive. More ideas on getting organized for schoolwork:
