The Productive Pixie | Systems for Productivity and Growth

Do you scroll on your phone when you have nothing to do but still end up feeling bored? And yet somehow, you feel compelled to continue scrolling? It's time to take control of your phone habits, so you can feel fulfilled in life. Today, I'm going to give you a peek into my digital minimalist phone setup as an aspiring digital minimalist in college!

What I Actually Use My Phone For as a Digital Minimalist

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Over the past few years, I've been trying to use my phone more as a tool, and less as a form of entertainment, and through my current phone setup, I've been able to cut my screen time in half.

You can read this post if you want to see specifically how I cut my screen time by deleting apps, and adding screen time controls.

Currently, I use my phone for around 2 hours per day, unless I'm reading a good book on Libby. Then my phone screen time does go up! I'm an aspiring digital minimalist, so it's a work in progress.

I'll tell you what I don't use my phone for later, but right now, I'm going to share what I actually use my phone for. This is my digital minimalist phone setup!

What I Actually Use My Phone for as a Digital Minimalist

1. Communication

Obviously, one of the main things I use my phone for is communication, so I have quite a few apps for communicating such as Outlook, WhatsApp, and GroupMe.

As a college student, I'm in a lot of group chats on different apps. This is for the most part unavoidable. On these apps, I have notifications on if it is an important chat, such as a one-on-one conversation.

Notifications for group chats can generally be turned off, unless it's for a class group project. In that case, I'll leave notifications on, so I don't miss anything.

2. My Schedule

The next main purpose of my phone is as a tool for managing my schedule.

For managing my schedule, I use a calendar app, and the app Boosted to track my time. I use both of these apps on a daily basis.

On my calendar app, I have my entire college schedule with notifications set up that go to my smartwatch. I don't want to forget to go to class!

I also have any one-time events on my schedule, so I don't forget about them or overbook myself.

3. Education

This is where the bulk of my phone usage comes in. Every morning, I read my scriptures for 10 to 20 minutes on a scripture app.

I use Libby and Goodreads on a regular basis for reading, and to track my books. The time adds up quickly when I'm reading a good book!

When I have a little bit of free time to spare, I try to read a few pages on Libby, instead of just scrolling or reading random things.

Recommended Post - How to Actually Read More Books This Year (30 Actionable Tips)

During the school year, I use Canvas to keep track of school assignments, and so I know when my assignments are graded.

I also use Pocket Casts (This is the best podcast app I've found!) for listening to podcasts when I'm running or doing errands around my apartment.

4. Health

I wear a Garmin smartwatch, so I have a few apps that connect to my watch and help me track my health. I use these apps a few times a week or less.

Additionally, I'll include my music apps in the section because I mainly listen to music while exercising.

5. Miscellaneous Tools

And then of course, I have a calculator app, a camera app, and a clock app. I also have Chrome, and my phone's web browser.

I use my phone's web browser regularly because I don't have any social media apps downloaded on my phone.

On the weekends, I let myself use YouTube on my phone's web browser, but I also have time-limits on social media websites through StayFree.

On the weekends, I'm much more flexible with my technology usage because these are my break days. After a while of incorporating digital minimalism into my life, I've found short-form content is actually pretty boring.

On most occasions, I scroll for a few minutes and then switch to doing something else.

I'm still working on cutting down my screen time on my phone's web browser because it is hard to know when I'll need to look up something essential.

I do have some other apps on my phone, but they are all apps that I either cannot delete because they came pre-downloaded on my phone, or they are apps that I use once a month or less for specific purposes.

For example, I have Google Wallet because I need it to download tickets to go see shows at my university. I only open the app when I'm going to see a show, which isn't often at all.

What I Don't Use My Phone for as a Digital Minimalist

Ok, so that's what I do use my phone for, but what don't I use my phone for?

Social media (occasional usage)
Games
Reading the news
Endless scrolling
Consuming content when bored

Right now, I'm working on cutting down the number of times I pick up my phone when I feel bored by telling myself to read a few pages of a book instead. I also receive a notification if I use an app for 30 minutes in one sitting to prompt me to put my phone down.

I'm trying to shift away from consuming short-form content that doesn't add value to my life to consuming more long-form content that leaves me feeling happier afterward.

A Day in the Life of My Phone Usage

I turn my phone off at night, so when I get up in the morning, I have to turn my phone on. I usually start off my day by looking at emails. (Not the best habit, I know, but that's what I realistically do! 🤣)

Looking at emails lets me know what's on my plate for that day. Class might have been cancelled, and I won't know unless I check!

After that, I read scriptures for 10 to 20 minutes during breakfast, and then I head off to my first class of the day.

My phone usage after that is often pretty sporadic and varies from day-to-day. I usually look at my calendar, and check emails/messages in-between classes.

I also might use my phone during lunch if I'm having a quick one, but I try to read a few pages of a book.

Generally, I use my laptop to do homework during dinner. In the evenings if I have nothing to do, I've been reading actual books from the library. Curling up on the couch with a book right before bed is becoming a favorite hobby!

Final Notes on What I Actually Use My Phone for as a Digital Minimalist

That's my realistic digital minimalist phone setup! To me, digital minimalism is about using the time I have in ways that leave me feeling good about how I spent that time.

Remember that it's ok to take breaks where you can watch or read entertainment. It's just about using your phone intentionally!

Since switching to digital minimalism, I've noticed that I now waste less time, and I learn more because I have extra time! I also feel more fulfilled about how I'm using my time.

My digital minimalist phone setup isn't perfect, but it's a work in progress!

If you enjoyed reading about my digital minimalist phone setup, you can read these other articles about taking control of your technology too.

I hope you enjoyed this post about how I use my phone as a digital minimalist! Save this digital minimalist phone setup inspiration, so you can refer back to it later!

September 05, 2026 No comments

When I first started college, I hated preparing for exams because I could never tell if I'd studied enough. I often procrastinated because I didn't have a plan and didn't know where to start. Everything was just up in the air. Thankfully, things have changed! In this guide, I'm going to show you my simple step-by-step plan that will teach you how to prepare for exams in college!

How to Prepare for Exams in College: Build A Simple Step-by-Step Plan

I've mentioned this in other posts, but I used to think I was a poor test taker. I was a good student, but I didn't receive the grades I wanted on tests.

I'd do all of the readings, every single assignment, and essays were usually a breeze, but when it came to taking tests, I didn't feel confident about my abilities to do well.

I often procrastinated until the last minute. I didn't know what study methods I should use, how long to study for, or even how to get myself to remember things.

What changed?

For one thing, I switched my major and started taking classes with content I enjoyed learning about. This gave me the motivation to figure out how to prepare for exams in college because I genuinely wanted to remember the material.

Over the past year, I've developed an exam preparation plan that I adapt for each class. My test scores have risen significantly to the point where I sometimes score near the top in the class.

I don't say this to brag, but to show you that if you don't feel confident about your test-taking abilities, you too can learn how to build a plan for exam preparation that works for you!

Everyone's learning style is different, but this guide on how to prepare for exams in college is a good starting point for creating your own system for exam preparation!

How to Prepare for Exams in College: Build a Simple Step-by-Step Plan

This is my plan for preparing for college exams from start to finish. Feel free to follow my plan but make sure you adapt it to your own needs as you experiment.

Throughout the Semester

1. Take Notes (Almost) Every Class

I'd say to take notes "every class," but I skip taking notes in classes a couple of times a semester, so I want to be realistic.

Personally, I take paper notes. They aren't pretty like my bullet journal, but even if I never look at them again, just writing my notes by hand helps me stay focused and remember what I learned during class.

2. Do All of the Homework

I hope this goes without saying but make sure you complete all of the homework and read the textbook! I'm always surprised when I hear people say they don't read the textbook.

There's no point in going to college if you are just trying to pass a test, without actually learning.

Now, let's walk through my exam preparation step by step.

Two Weeks Before the Exam

Around two weeks before an exam, I'll start setting aside an hour or two daily to study. Even if I don't study every day, this gives me enough time to absorb material, and extra time for if I have a busy day and don't study.

3. Decide on Your Study Methods

As you progress through college, you should build unique methods of studying for different types of exams.

Based on my experience, most college exams fall into these four categories:

Multiple choice exams
Short answer vocabulary exams
Short answer written exams
Essay exams

Usually, for multiple choice exams, you won't have to study for as long, and for short answer written exams and essay exams (that are timed or no notes are allowed), you'll have to study the most.

4. Find a Time Tracking Method That Works for You

The hardest part when it comes to studying for me is deciding when I've studied enough. If I can never cross studying off my to-do list, then I'm going to procrastinate doing it... a ton.

If you are like me, you are in luck! I've developed a system that's pretty reliable, but you will have to do some experimenting as well to see what works for you.

This is what I do for the first exam of a class:

For multiple-choice exams, I'll study for around 5-7 hours (Sometimes less if the exam content is really easy)
For short answer vocabulary and short answer written exams I'll study for 7-10 hours based on how hard it seems the exam will be and how much material I need to cover
For essay exams the amount of time I study depends on whether the essay is timed or not

This is where collecting a little data really helps. When I get my grade for the first exam, I know how much I need to adjust my study plan for the second or third exams, and the final.

For the final exam, I aim to double the amount of time that I spent studying for the midterm exams and usually end up in the 12-16 hours range.

5. Set Aside Time to Study Daily + Actually Study

There are many different methods for studying so you'll have to do some experimenting, but I'll share what I've found to work well for me.

Here are the study methods I use most often:

Review textbook chapters by rereading or scanning and writing down bullet point lists of important concepts
Transfer those notes to Knowt and make flashcards
Study all of the flashcards using the quiz features
Rewrite the most important vocabulary and formulas, but condense all the information into just a couple of pages
Rewrite and review those couple of pages as many times as possible
Review all the flashcards and the couple of pages right before I go to bed the night before

During study sessions, I switch back and forth between these study methods to help fight off boredom. I take regular walk breaks while reviewing material.

The Night Before + Morning of the Exam

6. Prioritize Sleep + Try Not to do Last Minute Cramming

Sometimes, prioritizing sleep can be a challenge, especially if you don't feel prepared for a test, but I've heard it repeated many times that your time is better spent sleeping.

I always like to pack my backpack with everything I'll need for the test the night before, so I don't have to feel rushed in the morning.

This also gives me a chance to double-check that I have all of the required materials for the test in the morning to make sure I don't forget anything.

7. Have a Before Exams Routine You Can Follow

It depends what time of day you take your exams, but I take most of my exams in the morning. Whatever time of day you decide to take your exams, come up with a calming routine you can follow to help relieve the stress.

It's easy to always feel like you are underprepared for exams, but even if you haven't prepared enough, the extra stress probably isn't going to help you.

Everyone's routine will look a little different, but these are a few things I like to do to make exam taking as stress-free as possible:

Review my main vocab/formulas briefly
Listen to calming music as I walk to the testing center
Have a quiet and relaxing meal
Double check that I have all my required test materials (scratch paper, pencils, laptop charging cord, calculator)
Don't study for other tests or do homework (If the exam is in the morning, and I don't have a ton of other homework assignments due that day)

Creating a routine you follow before each of your exams will help you feel more prepared and help to relieve stress.

During the Exam

8. Use the Exam Strategy That You Planned

You probably won't actually decide on your exam taking strategy during the exam, but you should figure out an exam-taking strategy that works for you.

One of my strategies is if I know a test will probably require frameworks or formulas, I'll write as many of those down as possible (if scratch paper is allowed) before I start looking at the test.

Writing down the main things I need to know helps me get everything out of my brain before I need it, which helps me minimize stress.

Here are a few ways you might approach your exam:

Flipping or scrolling through the whole test before starting
Putting down a guess if you aren't sure what the question is and coming back to it
Leaving questions you aren't sure about blank and coming back to them
Filling out a section at a time and then reviewing it as you go
Filling out the easiest or hardest section first

The only tip I would give is to make sure you review your entire exam, even if you don't change any of your answers. Sometimes, you might catch easy errors or have time to write down an additional sentence or two for short answer questions.

After the Exam

9. Take a Break if You Have Time

I don't know about you, but whenever I get out of an exam, I always take a break if time allows because exams are so mentally exhausting.

If you don't have time for a relaxing break, try to at least give your mind a break by exercising or doing homework that isn't similar to what you were doing on the exam.

No matter how you feel like you did on your test, be kind to yourself and remember that grades aren't everything!

10. Revise Your Study Plan for Your Next Exam

The last step in learning how to prepare for exams in college is to use what you learned from preparing for this test to prepare for your next one. Once you've gotten your grade, keep in mind that it's just feedback about how well you studied for the test.

Your grade is not a reflection of how smart you are or how good you are in that subject because grades will often improve with more practice and additional time studying.

You can use a simple tracker to keep note of the class, how long you studied, the methods you used, and your score. After a few exams, you'll be able to start seeing patterns about what's working and what's not as effective.

If you did worse than you wanted to, now you know what you can do to improve on your next exam.

If you received a grade you're proud of, you now have a basic idea of how much you need to study for the next one.

Final Notes on How to Prepare for Exams in College: Build a Simple Step-by-Step Plan

Preparing for exams is an ever-evolving process, so you'll have to tweak your plan as you continue throughout college.

When preparing for exams, try to keep in mind that with most of the classes you are taking, you are learning so you know the material for life, not just to pass a test. This perspective helps me focus on learning the material without cramming!

Here's a quick recap on how to prepare for exams in college:

Take notes (almost) every class
Do all of the homework
Decide on your study methods
Find a time tracking method that works for you
Set aside time to study daily and actually study
Prioritize sleep and try to not do last minute cramming
Have a before exams routine you can follow
During the exam, use the exam strategy you planned
Take a break if you have time afterwards
Revise your study plan for your next exam

If you enjoyed reading this post about how to prepare for exams in college, you might enjoy these posts too!

Good luck with your exams! I hope you enjoyed learning how to prepare for exams in college!

Make sure you save this post about how to prepare for exams in college, so you can refer back to it!

August 29, 2026 No comments

When you choose classes for the semester, you are designing what your life will look like for the next four months. While building a college schedule can be super fun, it can also be intimidating if you've never done it before. In this post, I'll share how to design a college class schedule, including how to build your weekly timetable along with other things you should include in your weekly routine!

How to Design a College Class Schedule That Helps You Succeed

I've had semesters of 8am classes every day, six classes in a single day, four hours of class in a row, and evening classes, though not all in the same semester!

Designing an effective college class schedule can determine how stress-free, productive, and enjoyable your semester will be.

Should you take 8am classes? How many classes is too many? What about laundry and cooking?

Over the past few years, I've learned a few things about building an effective college class schedule so that's what I'm going to share with you today!

How to Design a College Class Schedule That Helps You Succeed

If you use a bullet journal, I recommend sketching out your schedule and routines using a pencil, so you can see everything visually and use it as a prompt for the first few weeks of the semester!

As you build your schedule, keep in mind what your priorities are for the semester. If you want to spend twenty hours a week at work, your schedule will look very different from if your priorities are getting good grades and attending campus events.

1. Choose Your Classes

I love trying new things, so a new semester filled with a lot of new possibilities and exciting opportunities is really fun for me. I always want to maximize my experience and explore my options.

Here are a few tips for building a class schedule that you'll enjoy. Everyone is different, so take this advice with a grain of salt.

Decide on a Courseload

I usually take around 15-17.5 credits per semester with 12 credits of hard classes and then easier classes and exercise classes on top of that. If I've taken a dance class before, I usually try to audit the course so I can just attend class without having to do any homework.

The main thing I'd recommend is scheduling your classes right next to each other if you don't like sitting around on campus or want to avoid traveling. One of the most exhausting things at college is when you have to travel to and from classes four or five times each day.

The only caveat is when I have a dance class because I need to have enough time to change between classes.

If you are working as well, add that to your schedule right now too if you can! Currently, I work remotely, so I work in the evenings and try to work during free moments throughout the day.

Choose Class Times

I've read a couple of other blogs that advise against taking 8am classes, but I've done M-F 8am classes for multiple semesters and haven't had an issue with it.

The most important thing is knowing what is realistic for you. In high school, I woke up at 5:30am regularly, so it wasn't a big deal for me.

I will say that it is nice to have a day or two when I don't have to get up for an 8am class, but I prefer having classes in the morning because it forces me to get up. Usually, I'm more productive in the morning anyway.

When choosing class times, you have to decide whether you like having a packed schedule some days and lots of free time on others or having balanced days every day.

Choose Which Classes to Take

Usually, I try to do a combination of a few easier major classes, a hard major class, general education requirements, and some fun classes.

I always look at Rate My Professors when deciding which professor to take from, but I also consider what will fit well into my schedule. While I keep in mind that generally, these ratings will be skewed, sometimes students mention what the homework load is like.

Personally, I don't mind busywork or difficult tests, but I avoid classes with lots of presentations and speeches when I can. 😂

At the end of the day, some classes are only offered at certain times by a single professor, so then you just have to take them!

After a few years of classes, it'll be easier to figure out what classes to add to your schedule, but when making your schedule, there are several other factors to consider as well.

2. Plan for Travel + Meals

There are a couple of things that you'll need to add to your schedule, whether you like it or not. Traveling is one of those things.

I always prefer to arrive at class early in case something unexpected happens, whether that's bad weather or a closed road.

With meals, you don't have to plan as much, as long as you make sure they get into your schedule. I usually don't eat at conventional times because I often have class at noon, but I do make sure to get in my three meals a day.

If I have an 8am class, I might eat a snack before it, breakfast at 10am, lunch at 2pm, snack at 4pm, and then dinner at around 6pm.

I'd aim for around 30 minutes of leeway before and after classes if you need to travel to and from campus.

3. Block Out When You'll Sleep

There's a longstanding myth that college students don't sleep that much. I like to go against the grain by getting at least 7 hours of sleep. I'm sure many other students aim for this much sleep too!

For this reason, I don't recommend taking both early morning and evening classes.

You can also adjust your schedule a little bit day-to-day.

If you do need to take a later class or if clubs are going to go late one evening of the week, you can decide to not take an 8am class the day afterward or at least have one or two days when you can sleep in.

4. Estimate How Long Your Morning/Evening Routines Will Take

I'm a huge believer in morning and night routines because they make my life run smoother!

I'd recommend making a list of everything you want to do in the mornings and evenings. Then estimate how long it will take you.

I prefer having a short morning routine and a long evening routine. Almost everything is already done when I get up in the morning so if something happens, I'll be less likely to be running late. I've already picked an outfit, packed my bag, and decided what I'm going to eat the night before.

Routines go a long way in making sure that I'm prepared for school every day!

5. Block Out Time for Studying + Exercise

I do the majority of my homework in the late mornings and afternoons. When I set up my schedule, I try to make sure there are blocks of time that I'll be able to use for homework.

Unfortunately, I rarely get homework done in 15-minute blocks between classes, but I try! My focus is much better when I study in my room, which is why I group my classes together.

I aim to get around two hours of exercise every day, so I take a lot of dance classes to help make sure it happens!

If you don't take exercise classes, you can still block out time on your schedule every day. You can also check to see if your school offers free workout classes because mine does!

6. Consider When Events + Clubs Are

The next thing you may want to do is consider when the clubs and events you want to attend are usually held.

Doing this will help ensure you have enough time to do your homework and attend events.

The business events for my university are mainly on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, so I plan my homework load so I can get my homework completed in time!

7. Decide When You'll Do Household Maintenance

Living in college comes with a whole host of other responsibilities besides going to class and doing homework.

I like to stick all of these activities on my schedule too, to make sure that everything gets done. This is what my schedule looks like.

Grocery shopping (Saturday morning)
Doing laundry (Saturday morning/afternoon)
Reviewing finances (Saturday afternoon)
Weekly planning (Sunday afternoon)
Cooking and meal prep (Sunday afternoon)

I usually do most of my household maintenance tasks over the weekend, so I can focus on school during the week, but I am flexible with my schedule, especially if I'm going out with friends or to events over the weekend.

8. Leave More Extra Space than You Think You'll Need

Almost every single semester, my schedule does end up changing, so it's a good idea to be flexible! You can always move things around in your schedule, once you know what the building blocks are.

I know how fun it is to add a lot of extra classes to your schedule (dance classes in my case), but I promise that your week will be busier than it actually looks.

Sign up for some fun classes if you can but leave extra blank space so you have time for unexpected fun things, relaxation, and extra time to study.

Luckily, during the first week of school before the add/drop deadline, you'll have time to decide if your courseload is going to be manageable or not!

Final Notes on How to Design a College Class Schedule That Helps You Succeed

Planning out what you want your week to look like during college will help keep everything running smoothly as your homework load increases.

I like building a timetable layout in my bullet journal with blocks for everything I want to do because it makes it easier for me to build a college class schedule that is manageable and sets me up for success.

Even the longest semesters are around sixteen weeks long, so if you do end up with a difficult schedule, you'll be able to design an entirely new schedule the following semester!

This is how to design a college class schedule in a nutshell:

Choose your classes
Plan for travel and meals
Block out when you'll sleep
Estimate how long your morning and evening routines will take
Block out time for studying and exercise
Consider when events and clubs are
Decide when you'll do household maintenance
Leave more extra space than you think you'll need

If you liked reading this post about building a college class schedule, make sure you read these ones too to help you prepare for your next semester!

I hope you enjoyed these tips about building a college class schedule and that you have a productive semester!

Don't forget to save this post about creating a college class schedule, so you can refer back to it later!

August 22, 2026 No comments

Whether it's your first semester of college or your last, the beginning of a new semester comes with so many tasks you have to remember! From my four years of college, I've compiled this list of things to do during the first week of school, so you can feel prepared!

10 Things to do During the First Week of School to Stay Organized All Semester

Now that you're back on campus, the new semester is starting to feel real, and tasks pile up fast once the semester is kicked off! Between new classes, hanging out with friends, and doing homework, important tasks can slip through the cracks if you don't have a plan.

This list of things to do during the first week of school will help you get started if you don't know where to start!

Previously, I shared how I prepare for a new semester before I head back to campus.

I've already completed four years of college, but I changed my major three times, so I still have a few semesters left. Needless to say, I've started many semesters, and these are the things I do to make sure my semester is going to be as stress-free as possible.

This is my first week of college checklist! Let's get right into the things to do during the first week of school!

10 Things to do During the First Week of School to Stay Organized All Semester

1. Prepare Your Study Space + Declutter

If you are moving back to campus and had your things in storage all summer, now is the perfect time to go through all of your stuff and throw away the things you no longer need.

By week three or four, you'll probably already be overloaded with homework, and having a clean and organized living space without extra clutter will make things a little easier.

I also periodically declutter my desk and apartment throughout the school year as paper clutter always seems to pile up!

After you've finished decluttering, it's time to prepare your study space or find spaces you'll want to study in!

I nearly always do my homework in my apartment at my desk because I'm an introvert and I like having it be quiet when I'm studying, but I do sometimes do homework on campus.

I usually look for locations near my classrooms, so I won't be late to class if I have class after I do homework. If you do want to study on campus, my biggest tip would be to look for places where you won't be distracted.

2. Buy Supplies/Prepare Notebooks

I'm pretty minimalist when it comes to college classes. As long as I have some pens, pencils, a few notebooks, and some sticky notes, I'm good to go!

I have tons of sticky notes, but at the start of the semester, I figure out if I need to buy a new notebook or pens. I also decide which classes need binders.

During the first week of college, I like to figure out what supplies I'll need for each class. Sometimes a class will need a binder or a folder. I always make sure I have enough notebook space (sometimes, not a whole notebook) for each class.

I write the class title at the start of my notes for that class, and I mark my place in my notebooks with a sticky note.

3. Read All of Your Syllabi

My university has a website where I can look through class syllabi before I even sign up for classes. This helps me see if I'll like the class/professor before I even sign up!

Before you go to classes, it's important to read through all of your class syllabi and look through the class homework system (if you can) to get a feel for the professor's homework style, and how much work the class is going to be.

It's important to familiarize yourself with your classes before the first day because sometimes there is homework due before the first class.

You won't know unless you check!

I don't write down due dates right away because I have a different system for making sure none of my homework falls through the cracks. However, if you don't have a system, now might be a good time to add due dates to your calendar or planner!

4. Buy Your Textbooks and Flip Through Them

During the first week of classes, make sure you buy or access your textbooks! I love flipping through textbooks before the semester starts, so I know what I'm getting myself into.

It also helps me see how much my reading load is going to be for the semester. If you are lucky, you'll be able to get a head start on the reading for the semester!

If you decide to drop a class, you should be able to return the book to your university (if that's where you bought it) as long as it's during the first week of school.

5. Put Your Class Schedule into Your Calendar

While I use my bullet journal for tracking my homework and my to-do list, I use my phone for my schedule because college schedules change so quickly.

I like to put my class schedule into my phone calendar app in advance, so I'm prepared. If I drop a class or switch a class, it's very easy to change my schedule.

6. Stock up on Food

If you read my last post about preparing for a new semester before you get back to campus, you'll have already learned that I like to plan what meals I'm going to be eating and create lists of the options I could have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

When I get back to campus, I stock up on non-perishable bulk items like beans and oats. Even though I go grocery shopping weekly, I always like to make sure that I have extra food.

You never know when you might be sick or when you might be a little hungrier than usual so it's important to be prepared!

7. Pack Your Backpack with Essentials

At the start of every semester, you should check to make sure you've repacked your backpack and other bags with your essential items.

Personally, I always make sure I have extra pens and pencils just in case I forget my main pen case. It's always a good idea to have extra supplies just in case someone else forgets to bring a writing utensil as well!

Another thing I always like to have in my bag is extra Band-Aids. You never know when you might need one!

8. Find Your Classrooms

Now that I'm a senior, I don't have to do this as much as I needed to when I was a freshman because a lot of my higher-level classes are in the same rooms. When I was a freshman though, that was a different story!

I got lost so easily! It even took me like an hour to find my dorm for the first time. Google Maps kept leading me in circles because I didn't have the walking mode turned on so the app wouldn't let me walk through campus. 🤣

In the beginning, I always made sure I had thirty minutes at least to get to most of my classes, just in case I somehow ended up in the wrong place.

9. Set Alarms

Besides setting an alarm to wake up, I also set alarms to remind me when it's time to leave for class and to start my evening routine.

Setting alarms for when you have to leave for classes will bring you so much peace of mind. I like to go back to my apartment between classes to eat, to change for dance, and so I'm not carrying around a million things during the day. I create my schedule accordingly.

The only downside to this is that sometimes, I'm walking to campus four or even five times a day if I have events or club activities later in the day.

Alarms help me make sure that I'm on time to my classes! I generally set my alarms on my watch or as a notification from my calendar app on my phone. I set these alarms for 15-30 minutes before the class starts, depending on how long it's going to take me to get to that class.

Setting alarms helps me to be more productive because I don't have to keep checking the time!

10. Reassess Your Schedule + Routines at the End of the Week

Your schedule always changes during the first week of college. There's always a class that you didn't like or a class that you were waitlisted for that you got into.

At the end of the first week is the perfect time to reassess all of the routines you've planned for the semester to make sure you'll be able to get all of your homework done along with cooking, cleaning, laundry, and everything else you have to do.

Final Notes on 10 Things to do During the First Week of School to Stay Organized All Semester

These are all the things I like to do during my first week back at college to make sure I'm prepared for the semester! Having a productive semester starts with building systems that help you keep going as the semester gets tougher! You've got this!

Here's a quick recap of the things to do during the first week of school for a productive semester:

Prepare your study space and declutter
Buy supplies/prepare notebooks
Read all of your syllabi
Buy your textbooks and flip through them
Put your class schedule into your calendar
Stock up on food
Pack your backpack with essentials
Find your classrooms
Set alarms
Reassess your schedule and routines at the end of the week

If you enjoyed this post about things to do during the first week of school, you may also enjoy reading these ones!

I hope this list of things to do during the first week of school helps you get ready for the semester and helps you feel more prepared! Have a great semester!

If this post about things to do during the first week of school helped you, please share it with a friend! Thank you! :)

August 15, 2026 No comments

Do you feel like the internet and the many digital devices you own are consuming your life? There are always new notifications, and a thousand articles or videos you could read or watch. Every free minute can be filled with new content. In this guide, I will share how to realistically get started with digital minimalism for beginners without throwing your phone away!

A Realistic Guide to Digital Minimalism for Beginners

You've probably heard of digital minimalism, but it often doesn't seem practical. Sometimes, it might seem downright unrealistic.

You may picture a digital minimalist as someone with a flip phone who only connects to Wi-Fi when they absolutely have to or as someone with no social media who doesn't have a clue about what's going on in the world.

Digital minimalism won't turn you into a digital recluse unless you want it to.

Even though I'm still in college and the majority of my homework and work is online, I've been intentionally building more digital minimalist habits so I'm more productive.

Over the past few years, I've built a minimalist phone, deleted and reduced my social media usage, and become more intentional about using my devices as tools, not as entertainment.

In this guide, I'll share practical tips on digital minimalism for beginners so you can build healthier habits without throwing your phone away or deleting all of your social media apps!

What is Digital Minimalism?

Digital minimalism is becoming increasingly popular as people become more addicted to their technology.

You may have heard of the term "attention economy" being thrown around. It's the idea that companies compete for your attention because the longer you scroll on their app, the more ads they can show you.

Apps are designed to keep you scrolling. Your attention is the product.

Digital minimalism helps you decide when technology deserves your time, instead of letting companies and apps decide for you.

There are thousands of articles and videos on the internet. You don't need to read or watch them all.

Since I started practicing digital minimalism, I've felt happier, become more productive, and consumed more useful and interesting information.

Digital Minimalism Isn't About Using Less Technology

Embracing digital minimalism is not about cutting out all of your technology usage.

You may not even need to reduce your screen time to start practicing digital minimalism.

Following a workout video on YouTube is vastly different from scrolling through Reels. Writing 1000 words is way different from browsing news websites.

I like to think technology usage can be divided into two categories.

Passive

Scrolling through a feed to see if there is anything interesting to watch or read
Consuming whatever the algorithm picks for you
Checking notifications or looking for content when you are bored

Active

Researching and consuming content about a specific activity or subject you are interested in
Watching or listening to content while doing a different activity
Using technology to work, study, or communicate

I try to shift as much of my technology usage as possible into active use because it leads to a more fulfilling life.

That's what digital minimalism is all about.

My practical tips about digital minimalism for beginners are next!

A Realistic Guide to Digital Minimalism for Beginners

1. Audit Your Current Technology Usage

Auditing your current technology usage is an ideal place to start practicing digital minimalism for beginners.

When I read the book Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, I started tracking my internet usage.

Even though I'd tracked my time manually a few years before for a short period of time, this time I downloaded a tool so I could see and collect data on exactly how I was spending my time online.

I use the platform StayFree to track my screen time on my phone and laptop. I know I've mentioned it several times on the blog, but I'm still using it, and it's still free!

While I wasn't surprised about what I saw in the data, I did know that I wanted to change my digital habits.

You don't need any fancy tools to get started. All you need to do is look at whatever app on your phone shows your screen time!

Once you know where you are starting, you can slowly reduce your screen time or use your screen time more effectively.

2. Turn Off Your Devices at Night

The easiest way to start on your path to becoming a digital minimalist is by turning your laptop off at night... if you don't already!

Previously, I wore my watch to bed at night, but now I don't sleep with it on, even though I no longer receive sleep data.

I sleep with my phone across the room, but I'd like to experiment with storing my phone somewhere else because turning it on is still one of the first things I do in the morning. (I read scriptures on my phone during breakfast and take it running.)

Without fail, one of the things I always do before going to bed is turning off my devices. Once they are off for the night, they are only turned on again for emergencies.

If you want to, you can experiment with turning your devices off even earlier before you go to bed.

One thing I've been enjoying is incorporating reading paperback books into my night routine because it helps me to relax before I go to sleep.

3. Choose to do More Offline Activities

When I first got back into reading, I'd read eBooks. Then I started going to the library again, and I remembered how enjoyable it is to read a paperback book!

Obviously, since I'm a marketing student and a writer, a lot of my work is online, but I do try to use analog formats when it's feasible.

I love my bullet journal, and I don't think I'd ever use a fully digital version, even though I use my phone calendar app for my schedule. I try to do as much of my planning as possible in my bullet journal because it's also a creative outlet for me.

Digital minimalism doesn't have to be about making huge changes to your lifestyle. It can be as simple as going on a run without music every once in a while.

Or choosing to play a board game with friends, instead of using a digital app to play the same game.

Think about what parts of your life you can easily take offline.

4. Make Your Devices Boring

This is where minimalism actually comes in. I've written about making a minimalist phone, and it's been so helpful in reducing my screen time!

My advice is to try and make your devices as boring and tool-like as possible.

Here are a bunch of things you can do to create minimalist devices:

Delete all unnecessary apps
Turn your screens to black and white
Block distracting websites
Delete accounts with feeds or unfollow as many people as possible
Keep all of your files and photos organized

The more basic and boring your technology is, the more you'll treat it like a tool. This frees up more time for you to spend on hobbies!

Have you ever heard of anyone using their calculator app when bored or scrolling through their phone settings for fun?

Maybe some people do this, but I definitely don't!

5. Turn Off Unnecessary Notifications

I just checked to see how many notifications I've received so far today. It's currently 6:57pm.

Here's the breakdown from my phone:

Productivity and finance = 24
Social = 11
Health and fitness = 6
News and information = 1

If you do the math on that, you'll see that I've received 42 notifications today! That still seems like a lot to me, and I've already turned off quite a few notifications.

Instead of thinking of notifications as helpful reminders, think of them as interruptions to what you are already doing.

If you silence your notifications, you'll still see them the next time you open your phone, which will probably be less than an hour because most people look at their phone at least once an hour.

While my phone is always set to silent, I do get all of these notifications directly to my smartwatch. I've experimented with turning them all off, but because of work and school, I sometimes do need to see those notifications immediately so I can reply quickly.

My days felt much calmer without notifications though.

You know what notifications are necessary for you!

6. Set Boundaries for Technology Usage

Again, this will look different for everyone but set a few boundaries surrounding your technology usage.

I only use YouTube on the weekends, and I keep social media websites blocked for the most part. I have to unblock them to use them and I set daily time limits.

These boundaries help me avoid the parts of the internet that lead to mindless scrolling and binge-watching.

You might also decide to set aside parts of your day as being technology-free. You might choose to leave your phone in a different room during meals or discontinue carrying your phone around with you while at home.

During class, I like to put my phone underneath my pencil case or in my backpack, so it's out of sight, and (hopefully) out of mind.

7. Build Intentional Digital Habits

Before you power on your laptop, ask yourself, "What exactly am I going to use my laptop for?"

If you have to, you can even make a list of the tasks you need to do, so you can follow your list without getting distracted by new tasks. If any new tasks come up, you can add them to the bottom of your list.

When you are on your devices, what are you doing to be intentional about your usage?

This might look like only having a few tabs open at a time or setting up your laptop, so the tabs you do need automatically come up and you can start working right away.

One thing I'm still working on is reducing how often I switch between tabs. It can be so incredibly easy to be focused on one task and then think of something that'll only take a few seconds.

That one task often leads to five other 5-second tasks that actually take 15 minutes each!

8. Schedule Time for Intentional Entertainment

You don't need to delete all digital entertainment from your life to practice digital minimalism. I like to think about it as consuming entertainment when I actually have the time and being mindful about what I'm consuming.

My entertainment choices should not be controlled by an algorithm.

At the very least, my technology use shouldn't make me feel worse about myself or like I just wasted the last three hours of my time.

One way to practice this is by saving interesting articles and videos for designated times, instead of consuming them immediately.

I allow myself to watch a few videos on YouTube on the weekend because even if I do get sucked in, I know it won't take away from doing work. This time for entertainment is also much more enjoyable because I know I've set it aside to consume content.

9. Break the Habit of "Just Checking"

This is one of the hardest things about using the internet. It can be so easy to feel compelled to unlock your phone to just check if there's anything new.

While I'm writing this, I just had the thought that I should open up LinkedIn to see if anyone has posted anything new and interesting to look at.

My brain probably sends me hundreds of messages like these ones daily, and it's still hard to ignore them, but that's what I'm trying to do.

One habit I'm building to cut down on this urge is to work on a large task before I get to check data and feeds for the day.

Since I'm a writer, I love looking at my blog analytics, newsletter analytics, and new articles. It always turns into a time waster or brings up random tasks that deter me from doing what I want to do, which is writing.

Now when I open up my laptop, I try to start working on a new article immediately because it's my largest task for the day, and even though I procrastinate the most, it's also one of the most rewarding parts of my day as well.

Final Notes on a Realistic Guide to Digital Minimalism for Beginners

Those are my tips for digital minimalism for beginners! The good news is that you don't need to ever throw your phone away or actually embrace boredom. Digital minimalism is about using technology with purpose, not cutting it all out.

Decide on one small habit you can start today to practice digital minimalism.

Here are my tips about practicing digital minimalism for beginners:

Audit your current technology usage
Turn off your devices at night
Choose to do more offline activities
Make your devices boring
Turn off unnecessary notifications
Set boundaries for technology usage
Build intentional digital habits
Schedule time for intentional entertainment
Break the habit of checking apps and websites when bored

If you enjoyed this article about digital minimalism for beginners, you may also enjoy reading these posts.

I hope you enjoyed this post about digital minimalism for beginners!

Would you share this post about digital minimalism for beginners with a friend if you found it helpful? Thank you! :)

August 08, 2026 No comments

Do you ever feel completely swamped in college? I have too! New semesters bring a new schedule, new classes, and new opportunities, but if you don't have systems in place, it can be very easy to fall behind. Today, I'll share how to prepare for a new semester before you even get back to campus!

How to Prepare for a New Semester: 9 Things to Do Before Heading Back to Campus

There are always so many things to do at the start of a new semester!

If you don't have a plan in place, it can be easy to let things like eating healthy or having a clean room fall to the wayside. Making time for things like studying can be easier to procrastinate!

I love college and learning new things, so I always get really excited about going back to school. However, if you aren't as excited, I've created this easy checklist to help you prepare for the semester ahead!

I start preparing and planning for the next school year before the current school year even ends by creating a to-do list of things to do before I head back to campus for next semester. I don't want to forget anything!

These are all things you can do to prepare for the new semester before you travel back to campus. Let's get right into how to prepare for a new semester!

How to Prepare for a New Semester: 9 Things to Do Before Heading Back to Campus

1. Organize Your Laptop

I'm studying marketing, which means I do homework on my computer a lot! In fact, besides taking notes and reading textbooks, everything is done online.

If my laptop is a mess, doing my homework is way harder than it needs to be!

This reminds me of the time I turned in a blank Excel spreadsheet because I didn't realize I hadn't turned on autosave, or I turned in the wrong saved file. I'm still not sure what happened, but I learned my lesson!

I was really lucky because my professor let me turn in the assignment again, even though the due date was past.

Here are some great things to do to organize your laptop (and phone!) before the school year starts:

Delete old photos in your gallery
Delete unnecessary files
Organize files that you didn't organize from last year
Create folders for your upcoming classes organized by semester

When your laptop and phone have a lot of available storage and your files are organized, the semester goes smoother. It's harder for files to get lost.

Doing homework might take less time too, which is a plus!

2. Organize Your Email Inbox

Having an organized inbox is so important to me for productivity! If my inbox is cluttered, I feel irritated while doing other things because I almost feel like my inbox is another to-do list.

Organizing my inbox only takes a few minutes a day, but when I know my inbox is nearly empty, it's a lot easier for me to concentrate on the task at hand. Having a nearly empty inbox feels like there is less clutter in my brain.

Here are a few quick tips for organizing your inbox:

Delete as many emails as possible
Unsubscribe from all of the newsletters that no longer fit your life
Make folders for your emails and put all of the emails that you are saving for various reasons into those folders

Your inbox is for emails you need to take action on, not for everything people have sent you. This mindset shift helps me delete and move more emails into folders.

3. Prepare Your Planner/Organizational System

How are you going to finish all of your homework along with a million other things you have to do?

I use a bullet journal (and love it!) to keep track of all my homework and everything else. I also plan on a regular basis to make sure I have a plan to get everything done.

The same planning system doesn't work for everyone, so whatever system you use, make sure you tweak it along the way.

I like to look through all of my bullet journal collection layouts and make sure everything is updated, as well as make new layouts for the upcoming semester.

When I get back to school, I already have my system in place!

4. Set Goals + Intentions for the Semester

Even though I set goals every year, I like to review and revise those goals at the beginning of every new semester.

Some years, I set smaller goals. Other years, I just decide what I want to get out of the upcoming school year, but I don't set specific goals. Do I want to socialize more? Do I need to spend more time studying or working?

When doing this, I like to think about my habits from the previous semester and whether I was good about waking up early or if I spent too much time looking at my laptop.

This is also a great time to make a bucket list of all of the new things you want to try during the semester!

5. Figure Out Your Daily/Weekly Routines

Even though I enjoy variety, I also love my daily routines!

You may not know exactly what your college schedule will look like, but you can still decide what your morning routine and night routine will look like.

Additionally, this is an ideal time to start thinking about when you'll go grocery shopping and do laundry.

Here are some things to include in your college routine:

Cooking
Grocery shopping
Exercising
Budgeting
Laundry

My routines always switch up a little bit depending on various things, but these are the tasks I always have to include in my routine somewhere!

6. Map Out Your Budget

When I started college, I was pretty clueless about money and budgeting, but over the past few years, I've learned to track everything I earn and spend to make sure I have enough for everything while continuing to save money.

I like to do some rough estimates at the start of the semester to see how much money I'm going to be spending. This helps me decide whether I'm going to stick to a strict budget or not.

As an aside, when I'm sticking to a stricter budget, I buy the cheapest brown rice and when I'm not sticking to a strict budget, I buy rice that tastes better! 🤣

7. Plan Your Meals

If I didn't plan my meals in advance in college, I would struggle to eat because I hate cooking when I'm hungry. Anyone else?

Before my freshman year started, I made a list with meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks so I wouldn't go hungry. I suggest you do the same!

When it comes to food, a little bit of planning can go a long way. Before the semester starts, I like to make sure my online recipe folder is in order (a folder in my phone gallery).

I also decide on some new recipes to try, and I like to stock up on bulk food items before the semester starts!

Whether you like to plan out your meals or prefer to be more spontaneous, having some ideas of what to eat and when can go a long way towards eating healthier and not skipping meals when you are super busy.

8. Go in for Routine Checkups

This is my least favorite thing to do on this list, but it gets them out of the way, so you can enjoy your semester!

I go in for my routine checkups before I go back to school, so I don't have to worry about fitting them in some other time.

You don't want to have to worry about having to fit in a dentist or doctor's appointment if it's not necessary.

9. Make a College Packing List + Double Check It

The first time I flew to college, I forgot to bring my phone charging cord.

I was able to buy a new one pretty quickly, but now I double check that I have all of my charging cords.

A few days before I go back to school, I like to start gathering everything in one place to make sure I don't forget anything.

Additionally, now I start keeping my charging cord attached to my laptop unless it's in the backpack I'm bringing to school with me a few days before as well.

I also start gathering all of the clothes I want to bring back to campus with me in a suitcase.

When I first went to college, I made a list of all of the items I was bringing with me, so I knew what I had packed. This can be super helpful when you are traveling home from college too!

Final Notes on How to Prepare for a New Semester: 9 Things to Do Before Heading Back to Campus

Having systems in place for the everyday tasks I need to do during college helps me stay organized as the semester progresses.

The first week of school is always busy, so doing all of these things before I go back to school helps me have more time to enjoy those first weeks of school.

Here's a quick recap on how to prepare for a new semester.

Organize your laptop
Organize your email inbox
Prepare your planner/organizational system
Set goals and intentions for the semester
Figure out your daily/weekly routines
Map out your budget
Plan your meals
Go in for routine checkups
Make a college packing list and double check it

If you enjoyed this post on how to prepare for a new semester, these posts might be helpful too!

I hope you got some tips on how to prepare for a new semester! Good luck with school!

Don't forget to save this post on how to prepare for a new semester so you can look at it again before your semester starts!

August 01, 2026 No comments

creating real-life systems

for productivity and growth

WRITER, PRODUCTIVITY ENTHUSIAST, TAP DANCER

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