It’s a new year, and the semester is officially underway. It’s a time for new beginnings and a new chance to bounce back into school on the right foot. And it all starts with getting organized with your homework binder. 

I run into so many problems in math tutoring when my students don’t have a homework binder at all, or it’s so stuffed they don’t know where things are, and papers are everywhere. Being unorganized in schoolwork often results in students forgetting to do their homework.

So… this year is going to be different. In this episode, I’ll share how students can get organized to have a successful school year. This is perfect for all my ADHD friends out there! 

Oh, and don’t forget to download my freebie on how to organize your homework binder!

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why schoolwork organization is important
• 3 tips for an organized homework binder

The Importance of Staying Organized

In my math tutoring, one of the first things I ask my students is how they organize their schoolwork. Some have no idea what I’m talking about. Some have an organizational system in place, which is great. When we get started, some students have notes shoved at the bottom of their backpacks they didn’t even know were there!

I meet with parents every semester to see how things are going at home and if their child is upholding the organizational practices we put in place. Even though I meet with students virtually, I can usually see how well they’re staying organized.

Homework organization is so important for students. These are a few benefits I’ve seen personally from my math students who stay organized:

• Organized homework helps students manage their time effectively. 
• An organized system allows students to prioritize their tasks. They can identify which assignments are due first or require more effort, helping them focus on the most critical tasks first.
• A clutter-free and organized workspace can contribute to a less stressful study environment.
• Students are more likely to complete assignments on time when they have a clear overview of their responsibilities.
• When assignments are neatly arranged, students can better understand the requirements and expectations. 

As you can see, there are many benefits to staying organized! But some students don’t know what that means. So, let’s discuss a few ways you can help your child organize their homework binder so they can reap these benefits, too! 

Homework Folder Ideas for Organizing

I want to share a few tips I give my math astronauts to help them organize their homework binder.

1. Determine How Many Subjects Your Child Has

First, you need to know how many subjects your child has and how much homework and notes they each require. Some subjects naturally don’t have as much homework as others. For example, electives like art, music, or sports probably won’t require as many notes because students demonstrate their skills by performing rather than test-taking. 

On the other hand, subjects like math, science, social studies, and English will likely require a lot of notes because students will be tested traditionally. Review your child’s school schedule to see which subjects they will need a homework binder for. 

YES – I recommend a homework binder for each subject if possible. But, I also recognize that not all binders or notebooks will fit in your child’s backpack, or it will be too heavy. See if there are ways your child can work around it, such as:

• Using a locker in between classes
• Only taking materials to school for classes happening that day
• Removing graded homework and tests

My OMG for ADHD guide helps your child stay focused and organized – download for free!

2. Purchase a Handheld Notebook With Binding or Pockets

As a former NASA engineer, I learned what it takes to stay organized and have made many mistakes along the way. Also, through trial and error, I learned what works for me and my ADHD. I NEED to stay organized, or my brain feels like a jumbled mess. Notebooks with sections have greatly helped me and my math students stay organized. They know where their notes are and can find them quickly and easily. I have a few notebook recommendations on my Amazon storefront!

3. Establish a Nighttime Routine

I always preach the importance of routines, especially for kids with ADHD. It gives them some responsibility and keeps them on an expected schedule. 

A nighttime routine related to their homework is very important. This is the nighttime routine I recommend establishing with your child so they’re set up for success in school the next day:

• After homework is done, put everything in the right sections of their homework binder.
• Pack what they need for the next day.
• In a notebook, write their to-do list (brain dump).

My free guide to organizing your math binder is a great place to start!

I hope these homework binder organization tips help your student! I know if they stick to it, they’ll see the benefits I mentioned above. If you have any questions about math tutoring or organization, send me a message! I would love to work with you and your child to improve their math grade.

If you liked this episode, check out…

Episode 6: 10 Astronaut-Approved Study Tips

Episode 9: How to Get a Good Score on SAT and ACT Exams