<p>In high school I was "miss organized". I never missed an assignment/appointment/ I never forgot to pay people back/always on time for everything, you get the point. However in college I"m just... all over the place. I've missed deadlines for applications of stuff, been late to classes, misplace folders, etc. etc.</p>
<p>One question:
-Where and how do you store your books/binders/papers? I have this huge rubbermaid bucket that I throw everything in, but as you can see, it hasn't been very conducive.
-Also, what kind of planners do you use? I've started using google calendars which I love, but it's had to record appts/stuff to do immediately when you don't have the internet with you.</p>
<p>I actually use an planner book. Its easier b/c when I'm in class I can write everything done also I can easily turn to it when I need to know something. I also bought a wall calendar which has four months on it. When I got all my outlines for the first semester I wrote everything on it well all the big stuff lab due dates and tests. On the handout there is usually a outline of dates and what readings for what lectures. I print two copies. One for my binder and the other I staple to the first page of my planner. </p>
<p>I have forgot things at home (commuter) and to combat that I start packing my bag the night before. I also have a locker for my lab coat and lab supplies which actually really help since if I forget those I'm gonna be really messed up. Most of my books are in a conner in my room or on my desk or of course in my locker!. I used to use a book self but now that seems to be filled with my ~300 DVD collection (I only seen maybe at most 50...everyone buys me DVDs for presents ...don't ask me why).</p>
<p>Right now, I have a planner and use my computer, but I'm thinking about getting a PDA. I keep all my books in my car and if i have homework, I leave them on my nightstand underneath my cell phone.</p>
<p>Being organized has less to do with what kind of system you use and more about how much effort you put into being organized. I use pretty much the same system as you, except with cardboard boxes. However, I make sure all the loose papers get put into the proper binder (I have one 1" binder per class). I don't use "planners" per se, but I have a little notepad to jot down all my upcoming tasks and deadlines. I used to use the calendar in MS outlook to track everything, but I don't have that on my new computer, so I've stopped using it. Google calendars is nice, but like you said, I don't always have internet access. I've considered PDA's as well, but it's just not worth the price.</p>
<p>At home (I commuted freshman year, had an off-campus apt for the rest of my undergrad, and I'm commuting as a grad student), if I have a lot of things to keep track of, I use post it notes and stick them on my desk. I keep all my books in a bookshelf, so i never lose it. I almost never forget anything at home as long as I'm not rushing to get out of the door in the morning. So either leave enough time for yourself when you get up or pack everything the night before. Any papers or assignments that I do on the computer, I usually have on my USB drive as well, so if I do lose it, I can just print it out at school.</p>