College Organization

I've been back in school for 3 weeks now and I've stayed pretty organized so far! I figured I would share what is working for me in case there's a chance it might help someone else!

The first and probably most important is a planner. There are a lot of different kinds and your school might give you one, but mine is a Plum Paper Planner and you can order one here. It is personalized so I have my name on the front and there a lot of other personalization options and add ons.

I use mine to write down assignments, appointments, events, and my work schedule. I don't have any fancy color coding system, I just use pencil since plans and things so often change. 

In terms of notebooks I have a new favorite thing.

This notebook is the perfect combination of a notebook, binder and folder. It has three rings that are basically indestructible, but they go through the whole thing so you can fold the notebook all the way around like a notebook. If that makes sense. So I have each divider labeled for my classes (I'm taking 5, but these are the only ones I need sections for) with washi tape and have paper for taking notes right behind the divider. The divider is also a folder so it holds all of the handouts, etc. 

Being an absolute list addict, I have 10-15 lists going. It's a problem. But it also keeps my brain from setting on fire. Target has the cutest notepads/sticky notes and I have a lot of different types of list such as:
-running to-do
-to-do today
-current homework assignments
-things I need to print
-shopping
-I need
-I want
-To make
-Blog post ideas

I'm also pathetically obsessed with binders. It's probably unhealthy, I don't know.

I have one for scholarship, Christmas, writing, blogging, and finances. If you'd like to see additional posts on each of these I would be happy to write one so let me know. These things really keep my life together and it might seem like overkill but to me it's very necessary.

I keep these binders in a tub under my bed and I have a drawer in my desk designed to corral all of my school things in one place.

This keeps me from running around the house looking for my books before class like a crazy person. 

So overall it's pretty simple things that make a difference in keeping things in order and maybe it will get me to a 4.0 gpa ;)

xoxo,
L

DIY Customizable Notebooks for under $1

Hello!
I'm alive!
I'd like to say that I've been traveling the world or something, but instead I've been spending time getting my life on track. I've had a hard time getting adjusted to college and have been working like crazy lately. It's a work in progress, but I'm finally figuring things out.
Anywhooooo
Today I started my second semester. (We have a January term) So this means I needed some pretty school supplies to stay organized.
I used this technique (I didn't actually come up with this technique, it's pretty popular in the planning world.) to make some pretty personalized notebooks.
*This post contains affiliate links sponsored by Amazon.

I printed my monogram and class name on a sheet of cardstock. I also laminated it for added durability (and because I think I'm cool beans because I have a laminator, this one
 to be exact), but all of that is completely up to you. Once I cut it down to size, I tore a sheet out of the notebook, lined it up on the cover, and marked each hole. I tried to get it as close to the center as possible so they would all line up.

I then punched the holes using a tiny hole punch

.

Once they were all punched, I cut a tiny little slit running from the left side of the hole to the edge of the cover.

Finally I just snapped it on using the scissors to push the little tabs into place.

And that's all!

These are completely customizable, and they make the 20 cent notebooks from Walmart super cute. And you can switch them out if you decide you don't like a cover!

I'd love to see pictures of your covers! Tag me on Instagram @LittleBitsofLacey or post them using the hashtag #LittleBitsofLacey

Have a great day! 
xoxo, Lacey

College

I wanted to start a blog. 

So I did. I made a massive list of post ideas, planned when I'd post them and got really excited. 

Then a lot of life happened. One thing being college. I started my freshman year August 25 and it's all nuts.

But I'm going to share what I've learned so far.

It's way overwhelming, just college itself, not to mention the million other crazy things going on in my life. 

Here's my first day of school pictures. Notice the I can't believe I'm awake face and my cats' I can't believe you're doing this to me faces.

Please note that I wore the same shirt as two of my professors. I guess that's what I get for wearing a boys dress shirt to school.

So here are 13 things I learned about college these past two weeks.

1. People drink coffee in class. Some people bring actual mugs. Not travel ones. 

2. The desks are the size of a small notebook. I feel like Elf in class trying to fit all my stuff on it and take notes.  How do people not spill their coffee?

Just me in class 

(source)

3. The clocks are all behind you. So even when I'm sitting through my fourth lecture of the day, I'm not allowed to look at the clock without giving the impression to my professor "I'm bored, I hate your class, I want to go home!" 

4. You're on your own. You'll never hear "homework due next class" It's in the syllabus, it's all on you. Terrifying!

5. You actually have to read your text book. It's not an option.

6. I don't know what to wear. At my 8 am, everyone is wearing sweats or athletic clothes, but at my 9 am, I feel like everyone's wearing dresses. WHAT DO I WEAR??

7. Teachers say naughty words in class.

8. It's 95 outside but 33 inside. Again with the WHAT THE HECK DO I WEAR?

9. Books are expensive. I always thought that I could order them online for like $30 used. I was wrong. I did that with as many as I could, but some require new books so you have online access. My accounting book with online code? That'll be $286. I wanted to cry!

10. I may need to visit the chiropractor after lugging a backpack the size of a small child around. Man!

11. Party talk. I'm sure if I were a partier this would be cool, but since I'm not it annoys me to hear about how late they were out last night when I'm trying to learn what goes on a balance sheet.

12. I'm just exhausted. Sleepy alllll the time.

So that's what I've learned so far. Don't get me wrong I like it! It's just a lot to get used to. So good luck to you if you're new like me! We can learn together!

Thanks for stopping by! 

xoxo, Lacey