Organization is a valuable and powerful tool for Dual Enrollment. Your student can succeed even more in a DE class if they employ these organizational tips and tricks that helped me in my classes. There is no downside to using this skill in DE environments.
In my experience, I have found that keeping my classes organized is very beneficial. Furthermore, organization doesn’t have to be daunting or difficult, it can be effortless with the right tricks. Your student can create helpful and easy spreadsheet schedules, Google Drive folders, and systematic notes.
That being said, if these methods do not work for your student, that is perfectly fine. Every student is unique and different, and what helps them can vary from person to person. I am simply sharing what works for my brain, so feel free to tweak these tips or experiment with what works best for your family.
Spreadsheet Schedules
If you believe your student could benefit from an easy-to-use schedule, then I have some important information for you. Don’t be alarmed; I won’t give you a ten-hour course on spreadsheets. We’re going to be treating this like a glorified text box.
First, create a blank spreadsheet. Your student can use Excel, Google, or any other similar program. Next, list the applicable dates at the top of the page. Then, list current classes on the left side of the sheet. In the corresponding cells, list any assignments, deadlines, or class dates that your student has. Finally, use a different color to mark completed items. If you want to be fancy, you can freeze the cells the dates and classes are in.
I realize that a written explanation can be essentially useless, so here is a template that you can use: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1H-Dj9-1K56SAZHJMHYZ4V8IsqzxBNcEJiznO_kR0Pdg/edit?gid=0#gid=0 (Note that the current date on the planner is October 28, 2024. The orange denotes accomplished tasks on past days.)
I encourage you and your student to make this type of schedule. It can help them keep track of deadlines, assignments, and so much more. It will also allow you as the parent to know your student’s schedule on any given day. I’ve used many similar schedules, and I can tell you that it worked wonders for me (thanks, Mom!).
Google Drive Folders
Google Drive folders and documents are extremely helpful. I believe that any student can benefit from utilizing Google Drive folders. To implement this supportive tool, create a folder for each class. Add each of the current folders to the “starred” section of Google Drive.* Every assignment, essay, test-prep document, and page of notes can be stored in these folders. That way, everything is easy to find and clearly organized. At the end of each semester, remove the folders from your “starred” section and add the new ones.
This method is so incredibly useful. It is a quick, simple way to store necessary documents. It is also an underused tool, which means that applying it can make your student excel even more.
Physical Notes
Physical notes** can be a bit messy, especially if your student has a lot of classes. A good way to keep papers straight is to have a physical folder for each in-person class. In order to do this, store blank pages for notes on one side. On the other side, keep the syllabus, assignments, and past notes together. In the same vein as the digital folders, this can help your student keep relevant resources together with little trouble.
If your student elects to take physical notes for an online class, they can choose to follow this principle but with a notebook for each course instead of a folder.
Conclusion
Overall, organization can help keep classes and assignments running extra smoothly. It also allows students to keep track of their tasks in a simple, effective way. Organization is a wonderful tool, and implementing it can make all the difference.
*You can use the “starred” section to bookmark current folders and documents to find them easily. To do this, select the “…” on your desired folder, then hover over “Organize,” then select “Add to starred.” To remove, do the exact same thing.
**Regarding digital notes, please review my previous post Top 4 Crucial Class Tips for DE Students for in-depth organizational tips.
