As the new academic year begins, setting yourself up for success in your teaching degree starts with one key skill: organisation. Whether you’re just starting your journey to becoming an educator or you’re a seasoned student ready to tackle another year, staying organized is the secret weapon for managing your time, staying focused, and thriving.
Drawing inspiration from books like Atomic Habits by James Clear and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, developing small, intentional routines can lead to big results over time. For example, consistently using a planner to schedule assignments and study sessions not only ensures you meet deadlines but also reduces stress, allowing you to focus on deeper learning.
Here are some tips on how to stay organised during your teaching degree this academic year:
1. Use a Planner: A Must-Have for Teaching Degree Success
A planner is an essential tool for staying organized and excelling in your teaching degree. Whether you prefer the classic feel of a physical planner or the convenience of a digital one, it’s your go-to resource for keeping track of assignments, deadlines, and appointments. By scheduling study sessions, breaks, and personal time, you can create a balanced routine that supports both productivity and well-being.
As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” A planner not only helps you stay on top of your workload but also allows you to set clear goals and track your progress throughout the academic year—ensuring that you’re always moving closer to success. For instance, using a planner to map out key coursework milestones can help you avoid last-minute stress and dedicate more energy to mastering your studies.
Just about everywhere sells planners but we love Typo’s range of planners as some include fun stickers which can help to keep you inspired when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
2. Clean Your Study Space: Build Habits for Teaching Success
A cluttered environment often leads to a cluttered mind. By making it a habit to clean and organize your study area, you’ll create a well-lit, functional space that enhances focus and productivity. This habit not only supports your teaching degree but also lays the foundation for maintaining a clean, structured classroom in the future.
Set aside a little time each week to clear out your study area. Toss anything you no longer need and tidy up what’s left. This habit keeps you focused now and will be a lifesaver later—because one day, when you’re teaching, a clutter-free desk will make it so much easier to find the lesson plan or handout you need in a hurry.
“The environment you create is a reflection of your mindset.” — Unknown. Developing this practice now will help you approach your studies—and your future teaching career—with clarity and confidence.
3. Prioritize Tasks: Master Time Management
Start each week by listing your tasks and ranking them by importance and urgency. Focus on assignments with looming deadlines or those that require significant effort. For example, completing a big project ahead of time not only reduces stress now but builds the skills you’ll need for staying on top of lesson planning and grading one day when you’re teaching and managing your own classroom.
“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” — Stephen Covey. By learning to prioritize now, you’ll feel more confident juggling responsibilities when you’re standing in front of a class.
4. Establish a Routine: Build Consistency
Set regular times for studying, completing assignments, and taking breaks. A predictable routine makes your workload more manageable and helps you stay focused. One day when you’re teaching, having a consistent schedule will also help you set the tone for your classroom, from morning meetings to structured lesson times.
“Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.” — James Clear. Establishing strong habits now will make managing the rhythms of school life second nature.
5. Colour Code Your Materials: Stay Visually Organized
Assign colours to your notes, folders, and schedules based on subject modules or tasks. For example, using red for assignments and blue for reading materials or green for English and orange for Maths can make it easier to stay organized. According to Learning Fundamentals, using color strategically can significantly enhance your ability to organize and retain information. By assigning specific colours to different subjects or tasks, you create a visual system that makes it easier to recall details and manage your workload effectively.
One day when you’re running your own classroom, this habit will help you quickly sort through lesson plans, student work, or even classroom supplies.
“Colour is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings.” — Vladimir Nabokov. Learning to visually organize your materials now will save you time and energy when you’re managing multiple priorities as a teacher.
6. Prepare for the Day Ahead: Stay One Step Ahead
Each evening, take a few minutes to organize your teaching degree materials and plan your goals for the next day. Whether it’s laying out your books or reviewing key points, this habit reduces stress in the morning. One day, when you’re prepping for your own class, this simple routine will make your mornings smoother and give you a confident start to your day.
“Preparation is the key to success.” — Alexander Graham Bell. By building this habit now, you’re setting yourself up for success, both in your studies and in your future classroom.
7. Track Your Progress: Reflect and Improve
Use a journal or digital tracker to note your accomplishments and areas for improvement each week. For example, recording what study methods worked best for you to help you refine your approach. One day, when you’re teaching, this same habit will help you evaluate what’s working in your classroom and make adjustments to keep things running smoothly.
“What gets measured gets improved.” — Peter Drucker. Regular reflection not only keeps you motivated but also develops a key skill you’ll use throughout your teaching career.
Build Habits For Success Now And The Future
The habits you develop during your teaching degree—whether it’s staying organized with a planner, creating a routine, or reflecting on your progress—don’t just help you succeed as a student. They lay the foundation for the skills you’ll rely on one day in your own classroom. By starting small and staying consistent, you’re not just preparing for exams and assignments; you’re building the tools for a thriving career as an educator. Every step you take now is a step toward becoming the teacher you aspire to be.