Keeping Track of Reading Assignments in College

Many of my classmates used planners to keep track of their class assignments; as soon as the professor started rattling off the next reading, the planners flew out and hands started fervently writing. I, however, was at a loss; it was impossible for me to keep a planner, because even if I did remember to write an assignment down I'd usually forget to look at the planner later! If you, like me, struggle with keeping up to date with a planner, try using a different tactic. Try these tips if you know that an assignment written in a notebook or planner will never be seen again!

There's No Place like the Book Itself!

Rather than using a separate book to keep track of a reading assignment, why not try using the book itself? It's impossible to get through a college course without permanently marring your books anyway, so dog-ear the pages your professor assigns you to read. If it's pages 1-30, you can dog-ear just the corners of pages one and thirty, or fold them all over. Or, try cutting out a piece of colorful paper and folding it over the assigned reading pages. This way, as soon as you get back to your dorm room or apartment and pull out your book, you have an instant reminder of the assignment.

Mark That Book!

Another option is to use a separate bookmark for each class. Using different colors of card stock, cut out the appropriate number of bookmarks for each class (you should probably have at least one bookmark per book, per class). Write the name of the class the bookmark is for at the top in bold letters, so there will be no confusion as to which class you meant the bookmark to represent. Make the bookmark large enough for you to write assignments on it. As your professor gives a reading assignment, pull out the bookmark and write the page numbers, and any other information you need (i.e., if there's a written part of the assignment), on it. Then, immediately stick that bookmark in the book with the assigned reading (if you're only writing down page numbers, not putting it in the book right away could lead to confusion later).

Copy That!

A third option, but more pricey, is to make copies of the pages your professor assigns you to read. This option is good for those who hate to write in their books, but would like to take notes for a written assignment. Use the time between classes to get to a copier and make photocopies of the pages you have to read; stick the photocopies into the book so when you get home you have, again, an instant reminder of your assignment. You can now use these copies to take notes on, and mark up as much as you like. They're also great to have for in-class discussions, so you can comment specifically on passages you underlined and the notes you took on those passages. It's also great if the professor mentions a passage he or she thinks is important; you now have an easy way of keeping track of those passages without having to jot down random page numbers in your notebook!