How to Get Organized: The Woes of Being a Teen

[domlover48]

I totally need some help getting organized! So, can y'all help me out?

Also, I'm sure this is a question most teens ask, so it may benefit others!

[Abear]

This thread has been moved to the Organizing Forum.

Welcome to Family Corner domlover48!

Why not check out some of the organizing threads until you start getting hints posted here. Follow this link:

http://www.familycorner.com/forums/f...?s=&forumid=76

[barbszy]

domlover, you ask a great question but I think we will need more specifics in order to help you find answers.

Are you talking about organizing your POSSESSIONS or your TIME? (Or both?) Basically I mean, are you having trouble keeping your room & locker neat, finding your stuff when you need it....
Or are you having trouble budgeting your time so you can do all the things you want to do and still have fun?

Let us know how we can help you!

[domlover48]

I totally need help on keepin gup with my stuff!

I mean, being in jr. high can be hard, but losing all ur assignments because u dont have the time or ur mom wont buy u folders an make it a lot harder!

I cant go out and buy organizing equipment, thats not an option for me, but I still need help, major!!!

Please get back to me ASAP!!! OR I MAY BE LOST FOREVER

So can you help me, and all other helpless teens out there?

[barbszy]

OK, thanks for clarifying things.

I am a teacher AND I am a parent of a junior high student so I can tell you some things that I have told my students and my son.

First of all, sometimes teachers get free school supplies....you could ask your teacher or counselor if there are any folders you could have. Folders are inexpensive so if you have any money of your own maybe you could save it for some folders. If you have one for each class that's all you need. Plain ones should cost only about 25 cents each. Can you sacrifice something else so you can get organized?

Next, make sure you have a place to write your assignments. Does your school give free "planners?" If not, have a special notebook or even a paper that you keep in your pocket that you write your assignments on in EVERY class.

Check that planner or paper at the end of the day so you can make sure you take home all the books you need.

Do your homework all in one place and when it's done put it in your backpack RIGHT AWAY. I always tell my kids, "If it's not in the backpack then it isn't done."

If you build up good study habits it will really help you!

[domlover48]

Ok, thanks for that reply, but...um...I guess it's complicated for those who dont' know me.

But, see...even if I did have the money...my mom has a lot to do and she probabky couldn't take me to get folders...but a great idea!

Also, i know this soudns silly, but 'm shy around my superiors and don't think I could work up the nerve to ask them for something, I know, I'm wierd.

So, do you have any ideas on how to make my own organizers...really it's mainly for being able to go straigh to one place and find my Geography assignment, or whatever...

Thanks...ur bein real patient and kind about this...amd I think ur the first thing that's worked so far...I've spent hours lookin for answers to this problem lol!

[barbszy]

One thing I did find for you is a printable Weekly Planner form
http://www.teach-nology.com/workshee...ic/planner.pdf

You can write all your assignments, appointments, whatever on there.

As far as asking for the supplies you need...I can understand feeling shy! Really I can! And it's hard to get the courage to ask for what you need. Do you think you could write a little note to your homeroom teacher or guidance counselor and just let them know that you REALLY are trying hard to get organized so you can be a better student, and that you have no way to get the folders you need to help you do that?

As far as "making your own"--do you have a ring binder? Construction paper or even brown supermarket bags? You could cut out "dividers" from brown bags to put in your binder. If the binder is 12 inches tall, cut a divider 18 inches long. Then fold it at the 6 inch mark, and tape the outside down. Punch the 3 holes in the other side and you have a pocket divider. You can even create an area in your binder to be your Planner, with planner pages you print out or make yourself on looseleaf paper.

In the beginning you will have to put the effort into it. Some experts say that it takes 3 weeks to build a new habit--a good one or a bad one! Write EVERYTHING you have to do in your planner even if you think you'll remember it! So if your science teacher says "study for Friday's test" then that is your homework and you have to write it down.

[barbszy]

Here is another very good site I found:
http://www.geocities.com/gidi2/mrsm.html
"Mrs. M's Study Skills Page"

We have an article here at Family Corner about study habits.
http://www.familycorner.com/educatio...y_habits.shtml
It is really designed for parents to help their children develop good habits but I am sure that a motivated student (like you!) will be able to get good information there too!

[domlover48]

Hey, thanks for all that great stuff u found for me..it's really great.

Um...if you can..can you also help me on stuff like diets...srry...always asking questions!

I need to lose weight and need a diet plan and exercise routine that is good for a normal, not rich teen.

Also...can you give advice on what a teen should say to her boyfriend...im in 7th grade...and what not to say?

Thanks...ur really patient and really nice!

Also..what to say to preps who think they're better than u.

Bye!

[barbszy]

Glad I could help a bit.

We do have a section on dieting including this thread for "Diet Buddies" where we encourage each other in our efforts to diet & be healthy
http://www.familycorner.com/forums/s...?threadid=5627

As far as your other questions, there is a site "related" to this one
http://www2.teensforum.com/
Maybe you can find some answers there!