10 Tips for Getting (and Staying!) Organized in Nursing School

Nursing school is fast-paced and can be intense, so it’s really important to figure out how to get (and stay) organized. I’m a super type-A person who loves lists, planners, and schedules, so I’ve got you covered. Here are my top 10 best tips for staying organized in nursing school.

1. Use a Planner or Digital Calendar

Staying organized in nursing school is crucial, and using a planner is one of the best ways to do it. Beyond tracking exam dates and assignments, you’ll also need to stay on top of clinical schedules, lab hours, and any other commitments, like sorority activities or a part-time job.

While I’ve gone fully digital now, back in nursing school, I loved using a physical planner. Writing everything down just made me feel more organized. I used colorful highlighters and stickers to make the planning process fun! Over the years, I’ve tried nearly every planner out there, and my top three favorites are Erin Condren, Plum Paper, and the Day Designer.  While these options are a bit pricey, they’re absolutely worth it if you’re committed to using them. 

2. Time Blocking

In addition to using a planner, scheduling your time is essential. If you’re anything like me, you often find yourself mindlessly watching Instagram reels when you should be studying and then you wonder why you have to cram the night before a test. To avoid this, try time blocking. Here’s how I did it: 

1. Start by writing down all of your “must-do” commitments in your planner, like clinicals, classes, and work.
2. Don’t forget to include time for commuting, meal prep, and eating, plus your morning routine.
3. Once you see the open time slots in your schedule, add study blocks. I found that studying in 45-minute chunks with a 10-minute break in between helped me reset and stay focused. 

By intentionally setting aside study times—and even planning for fun breaks—you’ll be more likely to follow through. Remember, taking breaks isn’t just okay; it’s actually beneficial!

3. Create a Study Schedule

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When planning your week, be specific about what you’ll study during each time block. Without choosing a particular topic or assignment to focus on, you’ll likely waste precious time just deciding where to start. That’s about as productive as scrolling through reels—and definitely less enjoyable!

In nursing school, I spent about 30 minutes every Sunday evening reviewing what was due in the next two weeks. Then, I’d schedule study sessions for the most urgent assignments and upcoming exams. Deadlines have a sneaky way of approaching quickly, so keeping an eye on what’s coming up is essential!

4. Pre-Pack Clinical Bags

Clinical days are long—often 12 hours or more—leaving little time in the morning to get ready and out the door. To maximize your time (and your sleep!), try prepping your clinical bag the night before. Make sure all your nursing essentials are packed, like your stethoscope, penlight, snacks, water, and keys, so you’re not rushing around in the morning.

Personally, I often felt anxious about clinical days and didn’t sleep well the night before, but knowing my bag was packed helped ease some of that anxiety. It’s a small step that makes a big difference!

5. Leverage Technology 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are so many fantastic apps for nursing school, so make the most of them! If you enjoy taking digital notes on your iPad, try Goodnotes—it’s great for organizing and customizing notes. When studying for exams, you’ll likely find a Quizlet set covering exactly what you need, so be sure to check it out. Additionally, there are plenty of NCLEX prep apps and digital nursing study guides available, including the ones in my free nursing resource library

If you’re ever confused about a topic, YouTube is another great tool. It’s full of educational videos that sometimes explain concepts even better than your professor or textbook.

6. Prioritize Tasks 

In nursing school, it can feel like everything is a priority—but that’s not the case. At the start of the semester, take note of exams and assignments that carry the most weight toward your final grade. There will likely be a lot of smaller assignments worth fewer points; these don’t need as much of your time or focus.

Prioritize the high-value tasks that make up the bulk of your grade and put your effort into excelling in clinicals. Remember, it’s okay if you can’t do it all; sometimes, you have to choose what’s most worthy of your time to stay balanced.

7. Avoid Cramming 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s easier said than done, but try to avoid staying up all night cramming before a test. You’ll perform much better with a clear, well-rested mind than after a night of trying to jam in information. As a former nursing student and now professor, I can tell you that most exam questions rely on common sense. If you’re somewhat familiar with the material or remember class discussions, you can often use elimination strategies to find the correct answer. However, when your brain is exhausted, it’s much easier to mix up concepts or struggle to think clearly. When in doubt, choose sleep over last-minute cramming—you’ll thank yourself later.

8. Organize Class Materials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please don’t be the student who shoves papers into their backpack, never to see the light of day again. Instead, use binders, notebooks, or another organizational method to keep your course materials separate and tidy. Personally, I set up a binder for each class, including the syllabus, course calendar, and all relevant handouts. While they got a bit heavy by the end of the semester, I could easily find what I needed when the time came. Plus, I always felt prepared knowing that everything I needed for each class was in one place.

9. Remain Flexible 

You can plan your entire day down to the minute, but chances are something will come up that requires you to adjust your plans. Nursing school involves a lot of moving parts, so it’s common for schedules to change or unexpected situations to arise. It’s important to stay flexible and be open to modifying your study plans or other commitments as needed.

Additionally, regularly evaluate your study habits and how they’re working for you in nursing school. You might find that handwritten notes no longer suit your learning style, and it’s essential to be willing to try something new. Perhaps you used to study alone in high school, but now you realize you need a study group to help you work through complex concepts. Be prepared to change your approach as needed, especially as you progress through different specialty nursing courses, as each one may require a different study strategy.

10. Practice Self-Care

So, there you have it—my top 10 tips for getting organized in nursing school. What other organization tips have you found helpful? Share your thoughts in the comments!