A CL Intern’s Guide to Desk Organization

Whether your desk functions as a quiet study sanctuary, a social gathering spot or a place to remember all your friends and family from home, it’s important to organize it based on your specific needs and how you want it to function.

When I moved into a sorority house this fall, it was important for me to create a desk space that could balance my study demands with other personal interests. I knew that finding a quiet, solitary spot in a house with 50 other women would prove extremely difficult, so I was dedicated to making this space my own.

Keep your desk neat and organized this year with a few helpful tips from a college student herself!

1. Keep your cosmetics and beauty essentials close by. It’s helpful to keep products like make-up, perfume and lotion all together so you can be out the door in a moment’s notice. Check www.storables.com for cute and affordable storage options!

2. Pictures of family and friends from home can keep you connected even when you’re miles away. High school pictures in cute frames not only spice up your desktop, but they also remind you of great times and bring back old memories.

3. Keeping up with your favorite weekly television shows may not be easy in college, but there always seems to be time to pop in a good chick flick or TV series on DVD. Keep your favorites on hand for the inevitable study break or girl’s night in.

4. Store several folders and binders with essential personal information in a place they won’t get lost. It helps to keep these documents separate from schoolwork, so you can find them quickly when they are needed and store them when they are not.

5. Keep space open on your desktop for a computer or homework. There has to be plenty of room for you to spread out and comfortably study! Computers are another great way to personalize your space—choose a cute desktop background to compliment your desk accessories.

6. It’s important to hydrate in between classes, homework and social gatherings. Store a water bottle on your desk to remind you to drink plenty of water. Water is great for your health and helps fight off sugar cravings!

7. Drawers on your desktop are perfect for random storage. Tuck small items that tend to float on your desktop into drawers to create more space. It can also be a great place to store other miscellaneous school supplies such as tape, a stapler or paperclips.

Meaghan O’Connor is a Writer/Social Media intern at College Lifestyles (TM) and is a Communications/International Relations major at the University of Michigan. She is a proud member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and is known for her big heart and big dreams.