The Organized Middle Schooler: Setting Up Systems That Work

Middle school comes with many moving pieces—multiple classrooms, teachers, and subjects—to keep organized. Students can become overwhelmed quickly because of the fast-paced transitions from class to class. Survival-mode kicks in and students find themselves shoving papers in their bookbags or carrying them in their hands out of fear that they will be late for the next period. Setting middle school students up with the following organizational systems will help them adjust to class transitions and eliminate the potential for lost papers.   

Binders 

Binders are an organizational system that store papers from every class/subject in one place for safekeeping. The key to success is separating each subject in its place and giving students the ability to find what they need quickly.  

Binders should be: 

• 1 or 1 ½ inches - able to hold all subjects but also fit in backpack 

• Include colored dividers with pockets for each subject 

• Optional: 3-hole punch 

When setting up the binder, place dividers in the order of your student’s classes. Label each with the subject, teacher, and class period. During class, students can place materials/handouts in the pocket of their divider until the end of the day. Then, note the date at the top of each page and place in the order the material was taught behind the dividers.  

TIP: When your student finishes a unit, clear out that section of their binder. At home, set up a filing system in a file cabinet or an accordion folder. Store each unit’s materials together for easy access at the end of the semester to review. Establishing routines like this also makes it easier when creating a study schedule that works, since materials are already in order and ready for review.

Folders 

Folders can benefit students as a supplement to their binder or as a replacement. The purpose of folders is to organize student work, handouts, etc. for each class.  

These folders should be: 

• Variety of Colors 

• 3 prongs with pockets 

• Labeled 

Choosing a colored folder and labeling it with the class information helps students associate a color with a class, making it easier to stay organized. Using the 3 prongs insert in folder keeps important papers tightly secure and separate from other loose sheets that can be tucked inside the pockets for easy access. For example, daily class notes can go in the 3 prongs so students can easily find them when it's time to study at the end of a unit, while classwork and handouts used daily can be placed in the pockets. 

TIP: Consider having a separate folder for homework for easy access. Before leaving class, students place assigned work inside the right-side pocket of the folder. When the homework is complete, they move it to the left-side pocket as a signal to turn it in.  

Lockers 

Did you know the average backpack weighs 18 pounds? Encouraging students to use lockers has long term benefits. Lockers benefit students between classes to drop off books and grab only what they need for the next class.  

Help your student organize their locker according to their schedule, from left to right, in order of their classes. Place all materials for each class together (textbook, folder, notebook, etc). This allows them to swap books in seconds instead of frantically searching for materials and books.  

TIP: Some students become anxious about stopping at their locker, worried they will be late for class. To avoid feeling rushed, students should consider stopping every 2-3 classes. Simple organizational habits like these build the foundation for academic success in middle and high school.

Set Up for Success 

Staying organized isn’t just about being neat. It’s about setting students up for success with a system that works for their individual needs. Creating a system gives them confidence, control, and independence. For more strategies on building confidence and staying on top of schoolwork, check out these tips for academic success.