This article was co-authored by Caitlin Jaymes. Caitlin Jaymes is a Closet Organizer and Fashion Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. With a background in Fashion PR and Fashion Design, she specializes in creating wardrobes for her clients with pieces they already own. She has experience working with celebrities, editorial shoots, and men and women of all ages. Caitlin uses fashion and organization to help instill and influence confidence, ambition, and stress-free lifestyles for all her clients. She runs her business by two guiding principles: “fashion has no rules, only guidance on how to look and feel your best” and “life has too many stressors, don’t let clutter be one of them.” Caitlin’s work has been featured on HGTV, The Rachael Ray Show, VoyageLA, Liverpool Los Angeles, and the Brother Snapchat Channel.
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Having a neat, organized binder will set you up for success throughout the school year. Check out the tips below to learn the best, most effective way to organize your binder for school. Say goodbye to messy loose papers and lost homework assignments for good!
Steps
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1Buy dividers. You must have dividers. Preferably with pockets, so you don't need folders. They're not expensive, depending on how many you buy. They usually come in packs of 5 and 8. Get dividers with pockets. Select plastic or laminated paper dividers as plain paper ones may get ripped or crinkled more easily.
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2Clearly label each divider with whatever subject/class you want.[1] It's helpful to have the dividers in order of your classes. i.e. If math is your first class, then your first divider would be math.
- Label the spine of the binder too, so you can see what class or subject the binder is for when you stack it in your locker or on a bookshelf.
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3Have something to take notes on/in. Notes are an important part of getting into higher grades. The older you get, the more notes you'll take, so have a spiral or some paper to take notes. (If your school doesn't allow spirals, because some don't, get a composition book and put it in the pocket of that subject's divider.
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4Keep lined paper. Your pencil bag, and your planner/agenda at the front of your binder, because these are important materials that you use most often. Keep your schedule in a page protector at the front, or slip it in the clear front of your binder.
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5Keep your binder in order either from the order of your classes, by color, etc. If you keep your binder in order either by color or by classes or any other method, you will have no trouble whatsoever during the school year. It'll be so much easier to find your papers!
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6Try keeping a binder for each class. Some classes require a binder specifically for their subject.
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7Have dividers for each subject. Organize your work and notes into categories such as notes, grades, homework, assignments.[2]
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8Try color-coding your subjects. For example: let's say science is blue. You'd get a blue half-inch binder, blue dividers (if you can, because most dividers come multicolored), a blue folder, blue highlighter- whatever else you need for science would be blue. Everything. So if you're trying to pack for science, in your locker you'd see a blue binder and folder- you'd know immediately that's science.
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9Try to keep everything you might need inside your binder. For some subjects, you need specific things and it is easier to keep that object in your binder. Another thing which is really useful is an insertable binder hole punch which will ensure you place all your papers in WHEN you get them. If you don't do this then your binder won't be as organised.
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat is an insertable hole puncher?
Community AnswerIt is a hole puncher that has holes where you can link it into your binder. You should be able to purchase these at Staples or any other school/ office supply store. -
QuestionHow do I put in the scissors and other things?Community AnswerThey make pencil cases to go in your binder, so you can put your scissors, glue, post-it notes, pencils and so on in your binder.
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QuestionWould you recommend having a binder that holds everything together, or having multiple zipper binders for each subject so papers don't get lost?
Community AnswerPut holes in everything and don't put things in pockets. Stuff in pockets falls out, and if all of your papers are stacked in a folder, you're more likely to miss or forget to do something.
Warnings
- Even though your binder will be organized, a zip-up binder is highly recommended. Be careful. If you don't use a zip-up binder, your papers might fall out.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- If you are the kind of person who rips paper make sure you don't need it⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You'll Need
- Binder/folder
- Dividers or dividers with folders
- A large amount of lined paper in the back
- Planner or calendar (optional)
- Lots of papers to organize
- A table of contents (if desired)
- Plastic Sleeves (optional)
References
About This Article
To organize your binder for school, keep materials for each class separate and always have extra supplies on hand. Use a divider for each class you take so you don't get your work mixed up. Use plastic or laminated paper dividers so they don’t tear throughout the year. Arrange your dividers in order of your classes. For example, if you have math first, put it first in your binder. Keep your class schedule at the front of your binder so you can easily check what class you have next. You should also keep some lined paper in the front or back of your binder to take notes on. Consider getting an insertable binder hole punch, which goes in your binder. This will be really useful if you need to file something but you can't find a regular hole punch. For more tips, including how to choose your binder for school, read on!
