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Start the School Year Right: Organizing Your Binder



The start of a new school year is a perfect opportunity to set yourself up for success. One of the best ways to do that is by organizing your binder or binders. A well-organized binder can be your secret weapon, helping you stay on top of assignments, notes, and important information. Ready to become a binder boss? Let's dive in!


1. Look at Your Schedule


First things first, you need to know your schedule in order to know how many binders you will need. Some students like the convenience of having all subjects in one large binder. It's easy and you'll always have the right binder with you. Others prefer pairing subjects together based on their schedule and carrying lighter binders to ease the load. It's a personal preference, and choose what works best for you.


2. Gather Your Supplies


Before you start organizing, make sure you have all the supplies you need:

- Dividers: To separate different subjects, classes or options.

- Sheet Protectors: Not a must but it helps to store important documents like syllabi or letters and forms to take home.

- Loose-Leaf Paper: For taking notes.

- Pencil Pouch: To keep pens, pencils, and highlighters handy.

- Sticky Notes: Not a must-have, but they can be helpful for reminders, to-do lists and quick notes.


3. Label Your Dividers


Labeling your dividers is key to keeping everything in its place. Sometimes your teacher will ask you to organize your materials a particular way. If not, here are some common sections you might include:

- Class Notes: For lecture notes or note-taking.

- Homework: A section for current assignments.

- Handouts: A place to store assignments, handouts and worksheets.

- Quizzes/Tests: To keep track of assessments and progress.

- Projects: For any long-term assignments or group projects.


4. Use Colour Coding


Colour coding is a great way to visually organize your binder. Assign each subject or class a colour and use matching dividers. For example:

- Math: Blue

- English: Red

- Science: Green

- History/Social Studies/Geography: Yellow


This way, you can quickly find what you need at a glance.


5. Regularly Clean Out Your Binder


Number 5 is an important one. A cluttered binder is a stressed-out binder (and potentially student)! Set aside time each week to clean out old papers you no longer need. Keep only the essentials and file away graded assignments and completed projects at home. DO NOT throw away old materials as you may need to refer to them for future final exams.


6. Use a Daily or Weekly Planner


In addition to your binder, use a planner or agenda to keep track of due dates, tests, and other important events. Having a dedicated place for your schedule will help you stay organized and on top of your work. I'd suggest placing your planner or agenda at the front of your binder so that when you open your binder, you can see what is going on that day or week, and stay on top of things. If you need a daily planner, check out the Printables section of The Fourward's website.


7. Personalize It!


Your binder doesn’t have to be boring. Decorate it with stickers, doodles, or photos that make you happy. A personalized binder can make organizing more fun and reflect your unique style.


8. Keep It Handy


Always keep your binder with you during the school day. This way, you can quickly file away notes and handouts, keeping everything organized from the get-go. Don't be the student who forgot their binder in their locker!


Organizing your binder may seem like a small task, but it can make a big difference in your school year. A little effort now will save you potential stress and anxiety later. Small habits lead to success, so here’s to a successful and stress-free school year!

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