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Organizing Your Desk

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  • Conquering College
Published: April 21, 2022

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A cluttered desk can leave you feeling frustrated and distract you from getting important work done. Whether you're an online or on-campus student, we have a few mindful tips to help your space stay organized.

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1. Keep the Clutter Down

Just because you can fit 20 knick knacks on your desk doesn’t mean you should. Keeping personal items like photos and decorations down to three or under limits distractions and keeps your desk from getting cluttered.

2. Put it Away

Only leave the supplies you are currently using on your desk. There’s really only a few items you need out on your desk at a time, the rest can go in a drawer or another designated spot. This keeps your desk neat, and prevents you from losing your favorite pen under a stack of papers.

3. Leave Some Space

No matter how messy your desk gets in the future, make an effort to leave a paper sized space open at all times. Keeping this space open gives you a place to sign papers or write notes and gives you a gauge to tell when your desk needs organizing. If you don’t have enough room to write, you should probably do some cleaning.

4. Create a Focused Work Zone

Your desk should be your dedicated workspace, so make it a focused environment. Eliminate distractions by positioning your desk away from high-traffic areas, noisy roommates, and away from your bed if possible. If you have limited space, use dividers or screens to create a physical boundary, signaling to yourself and others that you're in "work mode."

5. Develop a Routine

Create a routine for organizing and cleaning your workspace. Spend three minutes minutes at the beginning or end of each day to tidy up. This habit will prevent clutter from piling up and make it easier to stay organized in the long run. Also, make it a weekly task to review your desk and declutter as needed.

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