5 Simple Steps to Help Organize Your Student’s Workspace Spring break is the perfect time to help organize your student’s workspace. Nothing feels better than working in a clean, clutter-free, and well-stocked space. Whether it’s a desk in their room, an office, or a designated table in the corner of the dining room, these tips from experts can help you purge papers, create a filing system, create a workspace for your student that’s both comfortable and functional. Step No. 1: Design your students workspace around usage. Take everything off the desk and shelves and out of drawers. Determine what your student uses on a regular basis (a calculator, stapler, protractor, pens, etc.). What they use once in a while (printer, scissors, tape, etc.). And what they rarely use that’s taking up valuable space. This will help you determine which essentials need to be within arm’s reach. Give the desk drawers a quick clean with disinfecting wipe and then return the supplies to drawers, shelves, or containers on the desktop based on how often they’re used. If your student doesn’t have a dedicated desk, there are other options. “Consider making your own mobile supply station that can be easily moved in and out of the space (like the kitchen table) when it’s homework time,” advises Michelle Hale and Annie Draddy of Henry & Higby, a professional organizing company, in their article, “How to Create the Ultimate Homework Station.” They recommend wheeled shelf carts, turntable stations (like lazy Susans), and homework caddies with a handle. You may also want to consider over-the-door organizers for small spaces. Step No. 2: Utilize wall space. What’s the one step most people miss when organizing their office? Vertical space. “Use your wall space to hang filing systems, calendars, whiteboards, shelving, and more,” writes HGTV’s Toni Hammersley in “10 Home Office Hacks to Get You Organized Now.” “There is so much more space available when you go vertical.” Hang a corkboard for important notices, artwork, and reminders, a calendar for scheduling, and a whiteboard or chalkboard for lists. Step No. 3: Create a filing system. For most students, it probably makes sense to create folders by courses, such as math, English, history, science, etc. For others, they may want to create additional folders for homework (labeled, “To do”) and bigger projects (labeled “In Progress”). Don’t have room for a filing cabinet or a drawer for files? “Consider a hanging organizer that you can put on the wall so it doesn’t take up precious surface room,” suggest the experts at Gold Eagle in “Organizing Your Kids’ Workspace.” Another option is a freestanding paper organizer tray or stackable plastic crates, both of which can sit on the floor. Step No. 4: Sort through the papers. Remember that stack of papers you took off the desk and out of the drawers? It’s time to start sorting. Create four piles as you work your way through the stack: File, Archive, Reuse, Recycle, Shred. FILE: Examples of papers to file might be homework or projects that need to be completed or reviewed for bigger upcoming tests before the semester ends. Ditto with notes that could help your student prepare for a final exam. ARCHIVE: Archive papers that you may need to reference later or just want to save for posterity, such as report cards, artwork, and graded papers and projects. These should be stored in a box or file away from the workspace to free up room. REUSE: As you run across blank pieces of paper, envelopes, and folders, set them aside to put to good use. RECYCLE: Recycle used or damaged papers and envelopes tossed into the recycling bin. SHRED: As for shredding, look for information that could be used nefariously if someone were to find them in your trash can or at the dump. “Be sure to shred anything with a signature, account number, social security number, credit card number, birthday, or medical information,” advises professional organizer Seana Turner in her blog, “This Tip Will Make Sorting Paper Much Easier.” So, what is it about sorting through accumulated paper that feels so overwhelming? According to Seana, there are four reasons that can make the task feel so daunting: 1. Because paper is thin, it can pile up for a long time before it interferes with our use of the space. 2. Sorting papers feels less rewarding (compared to cleaning out a closet, for example) because it doesn’t free up as much space. 3. Going through accumulated papers has the potential to add to our “to do” list. 4. Sometimes, papers represent tasks that we (or our children) don’t know how to complete, which leaves us in a state of intentional avoidance. Step No. 5: Review your student’s workspace for comfort and function. Now that your student’s study space is organized, review it for both comfort and function. Is it warm or cool enough? Will the sunlight shining in the window be too bright or make them sleepy? Is the chair comfortable and positioned at the right height for them to work on the surface? Are there any nearby distractions (e.g., a TV in the family room) that could impede their focus? According to occupational therapist and ergonomics specialist Nikki Weiner, an organized study/workspace “can foster concentration and productivity while preventing injuries.” Here are some suggestions from the StarTribune’s piece, “5 Tips to Make Your Home Work Space as Comfortable and Function as Possible”: • To block out unpredictable sounds and improve concentration, consider investing in a fan or white-noise machine. • You don’t need an empty workspace; photos, plants, and other knickknacks can keep your student’s mood lifted. • Natural light helps regulate circadian rhythms so opt for a spot near a window as long as it’s not too bright. • If your student uses a laptop, keep the top third of the screen at eye level to prevent neck strain. If you can, invest in an adjustable chair that can lower as your student grows or raise for smaller siblings who also use the space. Follow these steps to help ensure your student’s workspace fosters productivity for the rest of the school year! If organization is harder for your student, then it may be worth your time to look into a cognitive skills test. Organization skills are necessary to getting things done, and with the right cognitive tools, organization can become easier.