Keeping Track of Written Assignments in College

Sometimes in college, you'll be lucky enough to have a sympathetic professor who knows just how hard it is to keep up with assignments. This professor will, bless his/her heart, create a syllabus with all your assignments recorded for you; all you have to do, bless your heart, is remember to check the syllabus and get the work done on time!

Unfortunately, I have never been gifted with the ability to remember to check my syllabus every day. My habit, like many other students, was to check the syllabus right before class started, to see what we'd be discussing that day. Only then would I have the sickening realization that there was a two page paper due on a reading I'd forgotten to do, and a quiz on the same reading. Believe me when I say that this is the type of situation you want to avoid!

For those of us not good with planners, but who also must keep track of several different written assignments for college classes, a creatively designed spreadsheet and sticky notes are indispensable friends!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Spreadsheet

If you can't keep a planner, but like having a nice list of assignments, consider creating a spreadsheet for all your written assignments. It's a nice way to keep track of assignments, and the grades you get on them, while having fun at the same time!

You are more likely to check out-or at least, enjoy checking out-a nicely designed project of your own than any list your professor might give you, so take pride in your work in creating this spreadsheet. Use different colors of paper for each class so you have no trouble figuring out which sheets are for which class. Use fun fonts and graphics that match your interests, or describe the class, to make your chart unique.

For your spreadsheet, you'll need at least three columns. Label them "Date Assigned," "Assignment," and "Date Due." Make sure you make boxes large enough for you to take detailed notes on an assignment, so you don't have to leave out any important information (i.e., you'll kick yourself when you hand in a size 12 font, double spaced paper because you forgot to write down your prof's instructions to use size 10, single spaced). Other headings you might include are: "Grade" to keep track of your grades as they come in; "Copies" if your professor asks for more than one copy of an assignment; and "Partners" if your professor often assigns group written assignments.

Make your spreadsheet colorful and fun to look at. You'd be amazed at how much easier it is to keep track of assignments when you have fun writing them down on a work of your own creation. Make several sheets for each class; you're bound to run out of room if you only print one sheet (Note: to save paper, print your spreadsheet on both sides of a page). And don't forget to keep your sheets at the front of your notebook; or, if you review your notes every day (good for you, if you do), stick your sheets in the first page of the day's notes so it's the first thing you see before you start to review.

Put Yourself in a "Sticky" Situation

Another option is to use sticky notes to keep track of assignments. This works well if an assignment goes along with a reading, if you review your notes when you get home, or if you're just in love with those sticky little guys!

Again, use different colors of sticky notes for each class if possible; if not, try buying pads of white or yellow sticky notes and using a marker or highlighter to draw different colored lines on the edges to differentiate your classes. Sticky notes also come in all shapes and sizes now, so you could even buy a different shape or design for each class.

If your written assignment goes along with a reading assignment, use a sticky note to write down the full assignment and stick it on the first page of the reading. Stick the note at the top, or to the side, of the page, so most of it protrudes from the book itself. This way, as soon as you pull out your book, the note is there to remind you of your assignment.

Sticky notes are fun because they go just about anywhere. You can use your sticky notes and simply stick them to the cover of your notebooks or binder; it's not the neatest way to keep track of assignments, but it's effective if they stay in place. This is extremely helpful if you're the type of student who never opens their notebooks or binders again until the next class period. Putting your assignments right on the covers of these notebooks keeps you from being able to say you forgot to look at your assignment sheet! Adding some color to your coursework and staying accountable for your assignments? Now that's what I call a job well done!