August might be the beginning of the end of summer, but it’s also a time to get excited for the new school year, especially if you’re starting at a new college or university!

One of the toughest things for a lot of students (myself included!) is staying organized. Even though dorms might not allow for the most spacious home offices, there are definitely ways to keep your desk clean and organized.

Here are a few of my suggestions for your back-to-school shopping list. Add your ideas in the comments!

Wall organizers are nice because they give you extra desk space, but if you don’t have room on your walls, a small desktop organizer is helpful to keep all of the little things in place.

Pen/pencil holders are a simple and chic way to keep your writing utensils organized on your desktop. You can easily DIY these pretty pen pots with tin cans and colorful paper!

Cord organizers are a must! It can be such a pain to untangle all of your chargers, headphones, power cords etc. and having a messy pile of them is just an eye sore. These cordies will declutter your space, separating the cables on your desk so they’re ready to use. Something as simple as cable IDs can also keep your cords in order.

Bookends are one way to keep your books organized, but you can also stack your textbooks on your desk and use them for additional surface space. If you’re worried about ugly covers or worn spines, simply cover them with cute paper or fabric and turn them into dorm décor!

Sticky note reminders might seem obvious, but I like to find cute or funny memos to keep schoolwork interesting!

Stackable office supplies will minimize the clutter and space that calculators, staplers, and other miscellaneous supplies tend to take up.

Have a home for everything! Whether you’re using a cup, bowl, or drawer (I like to reuse old candle containers and mason jars to help keep pens in place), make sure you’re designating specific places for your most important supplies and documents. A storage system that will work for you will help keep everything clean and tidy throughout the school year!

 

Join the conversation: Do you have any tips for keeping your desk organized?

xo,

Katherine

 

Photo Source: Martha Stewart, Torie Jayne, Chloe Moore Photography, Pine to the Pacific