College is all about time management. People will tell you it’s about talent, or intelligence, or hard work, and while all of these are pretty useful, in the end, it’s about time management. Knowing how to organize yourself and get your life in order is the key to success, and any college student can benefit from figuring out a few tricks. Want to know how to stay on top of your coursework and get the best possible grades? Then take a look at some of our handy tips.

When in class, pay attention

In Germany, there’s a great social habit of people simply focusing on the task at hand. Rather than pretending to listen only when the professor turns their glance towards you, why not actually pay attention? You’re already there, you might as well make the best of it. German students and workers actually work less but produce more results because of this philosophy, and attending class regularly and focusing on the lesson is the very least you can do in college.

Color-code your notes

Highlighting pens are quite a handy thing for any student, as they allow you to easily underline important parts of a lesson and memorize them more easily. Get yourself different colors and use red to highlight main ideas, green to underline facts and figures, and blue to underline any parts you find tricky to remember. Stay consistent and highlight only after you’re completely done with taking notes. You can also color-code your calendar if you want to have an easier time remembering important events.

Organize your bag

Having a messy bag means you’ll never be able to find what you need quickly, and a student needs to be able to rely on their carrier to maximize productivity. To help organize it better, empty everything out first, throw away any trash, and make a list of things you always need in class. Next, you need the right bag, so feel free to be as minimalist or as fashionable as you like. Perhaps you’ll want an ordinary black backpack, or maybe you’ll pick the trendy route of Aussie students and find a big tote. It’s popular to wear stylish handbags in Australia when you’re going to class, and as long as you pick something big and made of quality material there’s no reason not to enjoy feeling chic. Stuff the inside pockets with spare pens and notepads, and make sure to always have a granola bar in there. A few quick bites can give you an energy boost between classes and make it easier to focus.

Get a planner

Everyone should have a planner. If this is your first one, make sure to pick something simple that you can use on a daily basis, and fill it up with important errands, events, study time, and classes you want to memorize. Don’t forget to jot down your free time periods and short workouts a few times a week. Having a schedule can really help you stay on top of coursework.

Connect with the right people

Find those who are serious about their studies and who’ll inspire you to try harder yourself. Connect with these new people and form a study group, and you can help each other with tougher lessons, essays, and homework.

Set daily goals

Promise yourself something in the morning, then try to accomplish it by the evening. For example, tell yourself you’ll study for at least one hour today, write it down in your planner, and then find some time within the day to fulfill this promise. Setting minor goals makes it easier to tackle things because you’ll be finishing everything in smaller chunks and you won’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you need to do.

Minimize distractions

When you’re studying, make sure it’s all that you’re doing. Put your phone away to avoid getting tempted to check your Instagram, find a quiet corner, and make a real study plan. Study for an hour and then take a short break, and keep cycling this until you’ve read through your notes and your course book. When studying, study. When taking a break, rest. Separate these two in your mind and don’t give in to distractions.

Before we go, there’s one more tip we want you to bear in mind—make time for yourself. Good organization means leaving room for your own wellbeing, so don’t forget to care for your health and give yourself some free time to recharge your batteries and unwind from stress.

Mia Taylor is a fashion and beauty enthusiast from Sydney and writer for http://www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Travelling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on the lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty, and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips. Twitter | Facebook