As Ben Franklin once said, “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.”
Students can set themselves up for success in 2023 by decluttering their spaces and getting organized for the new year. Here are some tips:
Start with your desk
Your workspace can be one of the hardest areas to keep clean. Recycle old papers, forms and notes — and digitize anything you need to keep for next semester.
Use smart storage solutions
Space comes at a premium when you’re a student. Smart storage solutions like under-the-bed storage containers, over-the-door shoe organizers and closet-rod doublers can help you get more storage out of your space.
Organize based on usage
Keep everyday items in places where they’re easily within reach. Items that are used occasionally can go somewhere that’s accessible but out of the way, like a closet. Items that are used less than once a month should go further out of the way, such as under a bed.
Don’t know what to throw out? Use the one-semester rule
If you didn’t use an item in the past semester, odds are low you’ll use it in the next one. Get rid of anything that isn’t being used and is just taking up space.
Use the three-pile system when decluttering
Sort things into three piles to help you decide what to throw out: Keep, toss and sell/donate. Items that fall in the “toss” pile should be things that you don’t need and are otherwise worthless. Sort items into the “sell/donate” pile if you don’t need them, but someone else might.
Turn your clutter into cash
Use the opportunity to generate a little extra cash if you need it. Marketplaces like Craigslist, Facebook, Ebay and Etsy are great places to sell your clutter and make a little extra cash.
And lastly, have fun
Dedicate at least a few hours to decluttering. Put on some music, and get your roommates involved if you have them. Reward yourself with something enjoyable when it’s done, and you’ll be organized and ready to start the semester.