How to Organize Your School Notebook

Last Updated: September 6, 2019

Besides keeping information close at hand, straightening up your notes each day can be an easy warm-up or cool-down when you study and do homework. It can remind you of assignments and help you keep on top of your studies. And it can impress your teachers if they're in the habit of checking notebooks.

Steps

1
Decide if you want a notebook or binder before the first week of class. Choose one that fits your style, your schedule, and your usual book bag.
- Check to make sure you can, in fact, use one big binder for all of your classes. Sometimes teachers collect the notebooks and do checks, so you don't want them to have to hunt for the section that corresponds to their class. Also, if the check takes more than a day, you'll be left without your materials for other classes.
- There's usually a section in the syllabus that you received at the beginning of the year that details how a given teacher wants you to set up your notebook. Otherwise, follow the steps below.
2
Throw away or recycle anything that you're not going to need in the next few weeks or newest unit. Toss out any doodles, or old worksheets of no reviewing help to you.

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3
Use your dividers to make a section for each of your classes. If you will need to take notes for a section in your binder, store loose leaf paper at the ends of the sections.
4
Put a three-ring plastic envelope in your binder to carry other supplies such as pencils, flashcards, and CD's. Put any homework due in the right sections so that they will be easy to find.
5
Keep your notebook organized by checking each section and throwing away unwanted papers at the end of the school day. Making it a daily routine will mean that it never takes too much time.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I organize my school notebook well enough to impress my teacher?

Community Answer

Keep it neat, easy to read, and without too much color. Make sure that it has no doodling or large spaces. Keep it plain and simple and also in order with all the work required, even if you were off school that day. This would impress most teachers.
Question

Why can't I doodle or add any color? I thought those things are good for our brains.

Community Answer

They can be good for your brain if they don't distract you from your work. Ask your teachers if they mind if you have some drawings or color in your notebook. If they don't care, it's fine.
Question

Which stores can I get good school supplies and stationery from?

Community Answer

Staples, Target and Walmart are all good choices.