Are you as stressed out as I am??? I don't think I've been this stressed since freshman year (and we all know how that turned out....). I would be lying if I said that I haven't cried, um, every night for the past week. Between managing emails, blogging every day, having a major Sweet Lemon Magazine deadline, and this little thing called finals... I'm overworked.
I read about this system in some book (but can't for the life of me remember which one) and I decided to give it a try this year.
Index Cards.
In addition to a wall of calendars and my agenda and Google calendar, I needed something that I could touch and feel and flip around and lay out in different formations on a desk.
I made each index card into one day. I'm using them to keep track of meetings, class times, phone conferences, due dates, and daily to-dos. It's easy to pull out the stack of cards and see if I have time to schedule a group meeting or not.
And for some reason, having separate cards (as opposed to one spread per week in an agenda) makes me realize how much time I actually have to work on things. Basically, it keeps things in perspective.
A little more close up. You can see that everything highlighted has been done. Super simple!
(Side note: why did I schedule a trip to NYC during finals??? But, I will admit, I have some pretty awesome things going on then!)
Yesterday's card... I'm still working on a few things to check off!!!
I can take the cards and put it in my agenda day by day...
(Like that green blotch??? I had two pens EXPLODE. Green & Purple hands for two days, ladies and gentlemen. Ugh)
or use a binder clip to hold them all together.
It's a really simple, practical, and cheap method.
Thoughts? What system do you use?
xoxo
I always use a planner, but I add in index cards and a whiteboard during finals. It helps me to be able to shift things around, too.
ReplyDeletexo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com
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ReplyDeletefont nerd comment: Clementine Sketch (the cursive one in the first pic) looks a lot better if you Type^ Like^ This^ because all the letters get finished off. Besides that, thanks for the advice!
ReplyDeleteAs a graduate student, I also have an assistantship. It really helps me that I have all of my email addresses and important calendars synced to my iPhone. Also, with the newest update I can keep up with tasks. So anytime I think of something throughout the day at work I can add it and I can get reminders as needed. I also check my calendar on my phone religiously to keep up with where I am supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteI think that is a great system. I just use my agenda, though I might give this a try!
ReplyDeleteOK don't make fun of me... but I have roughly four calendars... 1. planner (it goes with me EVERYWHERE) 2. White board weekly planner, where everything is timed and detailed completely) 3. A large month by month calendar (the kind that you see on desks and things) for the more broad spectrum type things like vacations, parties, etc. 4. A normal wall calendar that gets the remaining tid bits like appointments and such. I know... I am one of those people. I actually really love the notecard idea! I might have to take down a calendar and do that!
ReplyDeleteI use a legal pad in addition to an agenda that I carry everywhere. On the legal pad, I write four "to do lists" entitled, "School" "errands" "Home" and "Blog" this way I know what's going on in each section. As well, if I mess up with writing something (and yes, I am a perfectionist like this) I simply rip off the page and start a new one!
ReplyDelete~Katy
This is a great idea! Love love it. Being organized makes exams so much easier.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the index cards but I get so confused when I have too many different agenda type things going on. I just need my agenda to plan my hourly schedule and then I use post-its (I'm addicted to post-its) to help me figure out my to-do list. xo, LP
ReplyDeleteI always love your little oganisational ideas. This one is especially handy because I am completely freaked about havingmy big, official, scary exams coming up for January. I still have so many names to remember for Sociology and Psychology. It's overwhelming to the point that I just want to crawl under to covers or wtach trashy TV. I'm really not an exam person.
ReplyDeleteI love this system! I can see where it works and how it can be so successful!
ReplyDeleteyou are so organized - i love it!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
megs [at] Shine On
You are so organzied, I'm jealous! I'm really starting to feel the heat with school, so this post gave me some ideas! Balancing blogging and school is a little tough.
ReplyDeletexo,
http://peppermintandivy.blogspot.com/
This post is really nice, I enjoied it so much! Wonderful system!
ReplyDeleteTake a look and maybe follow?: Cosa mi metto???
I've never tried that system, but I'd be interested to see how that works for me. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI may try this system next semester (for my last semester...freaking our already!) I currently use my planner, my erin condren notepads for to-dos and I use notecards that I have decorated with #s as a "Countdown" to see how close I am t0 being done!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteI am a list person myself but this seems like a great step further.
http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com
Totally love the index card idea (I am kind of addicted to them.)When I am at my desk I use a light purple legal pad to make my to-do lists.Yet,for some weird reason I can not stand a month calander so I stick to a planner only.
ReplyDeleteThat's smart! I typically just write everything in my planner.
ReplyDeletethat planner would be perfectttt for me. Where is it from??
ReplyDeleteWhere is your agenda from!?
ReplyDeleteMy problem would be that I would have to schedule time to make the notecards or they would not get done.
ReplyDeleteJust tried out this technique with memo pad notes (I was trying to find a use for them... bought them a while ago thinking they were post-its!)
ReplyDeleteThey turned out great! Thanks so much for the tip x
Awesome idea!! My favorite card of yours was "day of last hope" haha, good luck!
ReplyDeleteI really love your planner! Can I ask where you got it? Because it is perfect for how I need to plan my life at the moment.
ReplyDelete