How to Stay Organized During a Busy Semester: Tips from FAND’s Student Advisory Committee

By 2025-2026 Student Advisory Committee

College semesters can be hectic, especially for dietetics students balancing classes, internships, work, and personal life. Staying organized is key to avoiding stress and staying on top of deadlines. Members of the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Student Advisory Committee weigh in on how they manage their time, and their tips provide practical strategies for success.

Using Calendars Effectively

Digital Calendars for Busy Students

Many students rely on digital calendars to track classes, work, and deadlines. Gabby Vargas from Keiser University shared, “My whole life is on my phone calendar, including reminders, work schedules, family events, and date nights. At the beginning of the semester, I put all my deadlines in that calendar, and I take a look at my week every day to see what I need to prioritize.”

Kaia Floro at the University of Florida adds, “I keep a color coded Google calendar with times and locations of class, work, meetings, and volunteering. Planning ahead is key to staying ahead. I try to start a week in advance since I do not have time to cram for exams.”

Combining Digital and Paper Planners

Some students find a mix of paper and digital planners useful. Mollie McGuire from the University of Florida says, “I use my Google calendar and a physical planner religiously. Every Sunday night, I sit down with my calendar, planner, and assignment list for the week and cross reference, specifically listing out 4-5 action items I need to accomplish each day.”

Elizabeth Gerdes notes, “Using a paper planner and Google calendar keeps my deadlines and meetings organized. Find what works best for you and what takes the least amount of time to use.”

Julia Richard from Florida State University agrees that a hybrid system offers the best of both worlds. She explained, “Staying organized is something that is non-negotiable for me and is so influential to how I complete my tasks. Now that I have spent time getting to know what kind of planning works for me, I have found that having a Google Calendar or electronic calendar for some time along with a paper planner is the best way for me. How this works is when I am told about due dates or events in passing, I jot them down quickly on my phone in my Google Calendar. Then, every Sunday I sit down with both planner and calendar and plan out the week with each event, assignment, and the times I will complete things.”

Monthly Planning

Bullet Journals for Big Picture Organization

Gina Makary explains, “I rely on my monthly bullet journal spread. Having everything laid out in one place helps me visualize my assignment deadlines in the context of the rest of my life priorities. I also use my phone and outlook calendar for time-specific events like meetings.”

Setting Up the Semester in Advance

Julia Kanoff from Nova Southeastern University emphasizes, “Start organized from the beginning. Take advantage of course schedules in the syllabus and note important dates, events, and class meetings in your calendar. Scheduling out time for tougher assignments or projects will allow multiple projects to be completed with high quality.”

Daily and Weekly Planning

Actionable Daily To-Do Lists

Mollie says, “Listing out 4-5 action items for each day helps me stay focused and see the big picture.”

Ammie Martinez at Florida International University adds, “I plan out my entire week in the Keynote app on my iPad and check things off as I complete them. Having a visual plan keeps me accountable.”

Allocating Time for Study and Tasks

Kaia recommends, “Plan out a study schedule according to your free time and allocate time for both daily tasks and longer commitments each day to avoid falling behind.”

Tips for Avoiding Overwhelm

Prioritize Tasks and Commitments

Students agree that understanding priorities is essential. Julia K. advises, “Mapping out a theoretical week helps give an idea of what is doable. You can rearrange work schedules, workouts, and other obligations ahead of time, then plug in study and assignment time.”

Use Available Resources

Elizabeth suggests, “Most school platforms like Canvas or Blackboard have a calendar feature that auto-populates assignments. Seeing all deadlines in one place prevents missing tasks and saves time.”

Balance School and Personal Life

Gabby shares, “Seeing everything in one calendar helps me balance classwork and personal life, including family and work commitments.”

Visual Planning Tools

Templates and Weekly Overviews

Ammie uses weekly schedule templates on her iPad to visualize her week. This helps track assignments and events in a single glance.

Structured Planning for Tough Deadlines

Julia K. explains that structuring time for complex projects allows students to maintain quality work, even when multiple deadlines coincide.

Mindset and Discipline

Start Early and Stay Consistent

Julia K. emphasizes, “Starting organized at the beginning of the semester prevents chaos later. Even if you start late, creating a plan will help regain control.”

Positive Mindset Helps Execution

Julia K. adds, “Having the tools and self-belief to get across the finish line makes all the difference.”

Practical Tools Students Use

• Google Calendar: For scheduling classes, work, and deadlines
• Paper Planners: For daily to-do lists and tracking progress
• Bullet Journals: For monthly overview and big picture planning
• Keynote Templates: For weekly visual planning
• Learning Management System Calendars: Auto-populate assignments

Tips for Staying Flexible

Adjusting Plans When Necessary

Students note that flexibility is key. Adjusting schedules for unexpected changes, such as work shifts or personal events, keeps plans realistic and reduces stress.

Review Weekly

Reviewing your schedule weekly ensures nothing is overlooked. Mollie cross-references her planner and calendar every Sunday night to stay ahead.

Time Management for Study Sessions

Plan Ahead for Exams

Kaia advises starting a week in advance, planning study blocks around your free time. This prevents last-minute cramming and improves retention.

Break Down Large Projects

Julia K. recommends breaking larger projects into smaller tasks and scheduling them over multiple days or weeks for manageable progress.

Staying Accountable

Checklists and Daily Reviews

Using checklists, whether digital or paper, helps students mark progress and stay motivated. Ammie finds checking off completed tasks satisfying and keeps her accountable.

Reminders for Time-Sensitive Events

Gina suggests using calendar reminders for meetings and deadlines to avoid missing anything important.

Avoiding Overcomplication

Simple Systems Work Best

Elizabeth notes, “Sometimes complicated apps take more time than they save. Simple methods often work better.” Stick with tools you understand and use consistently.

Combining Organization Methods

Hybrid Systems for Maximum Efficiency

Several students combine multiple methods. Mollie uses Google Calendar, a paper planner, and weekly action lists. Gina combines bullet journals with digital reminders. These hybrid systems offer structure and flexibility.

Staying organized during a busy semester is achievable with the right tools, consistent planning, and a structured approach. Follow these strategies to manage deadlines, maintain balance, and succeed academically and personally.

We love celebrating the next generation of nutrition leaders! Want to learn more about the passionate students shaping the future of our profession? Click here to get to know the 2025-2026 FAND Student Advisory Committee.