Hello everyone!

As we all prepare to go back to school this year things are looking a little different for all of us. If you are going to be having a virtual semester the landscape in which we work is going to change. You may be worried about how you are going to focus, get all your work done and work in the most effective manner, as am I. Due to this I wanted to create the most effective and inspiring work space possible in my room. I already had a desk space in my room but because a majority of my work was done on campus I never took the time to make it the right space for me. I wanted to do this on a budget but still make it great. In this post I will outline some of the things I did to transform my workspace for an online semester that will hopefully inspire you all as well!

**You can click the product pictures to shop any of the items**

BEFORE VS AFTER

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PROPER DESK SPACE

Firstly I think is essential is to ensure you have a proper desk space. One that you are able to spread all your stuff out and have space to work. Having a large desk space will allow you to feel less overwhelmed and able to organize all of your work better. I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone but that personally keeps me more motivated, focused and inspired. I know sometimes space is limited, this is the case for my room as well so I got a desk that was longer instead of wider so that it did not take up walking space in my room. Ikea has lots of affordable options. You can simply get a table top for as little as $40.

HAVE A COMFY CHAIR

Long hours of studying means many hours of sitting. Having a comfy chair is essential. Getting one that is adjustable based on your height is the best option, there is nothing worse then having back pain while working. Having a good chair means that you will be willing to spend longer hours at your desk and therefore get more work done.

GET ADDITIONAL STORAGE

A big problem that I was having in past years was not having enough storage to organize all my papers and supplies. Everything ended up getting pilled on the floor or left loose on my desk. This made my work space chaotic and just overall not a place were I felt inspired to work. I went on the hunt for a reasonably priced organization cabinet and found this one from Ikea, as well as a couple others that fit my criteria. Depending on the amount of space you have you can get a unit that fits under your desk so its is tucked away or one that is placed elsewhere in the room. Having this means you can store away items when your not using them and keep track of everything. You want to make sure you are utilizing all of the space you have to the max. Your space will feel more organized and clutter free allowing your mind to focus.

ORGANIZE

Now that you have a unit for additional storage you need to organize that unit. This can be easily done by going to the dollarstore or container store and getting drawer organizers. You can place small office supplies like paper clips and sticky notes in each of the compartments for easy access when you need them. You could also get files and labels to organize papers and place them in the unit as well. This will allow you to easily find the papers that you need. You could also get a paper organizer that you place ontop of your desk if you have the space. I don’t know about you all but seeing everything in my drawers organized makes me so happy and actually makes me want to work in that space more.

A DESK LAMP

We all have those late nights of studying. Having a desk lamp will keep your work space bright allowing you to get your work done even during those late hours. This one that I found from Ikea is so sleek and minimal which I love. It takes up no space and looks so cute on my desk. I know it is really going to be handy once school starts.

GET ALL YOUR ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES

Another tip I have is to get all of your school supplies and treat it like any other school year. Get your highlighters, pens, laptops etc, basically anything that will lead you to success. An item that I really want to purchase this year is a book/tablet stand so that I can place my textbook on it. I find that I am always putting my books laying flat beside me or on my lap which it not ideal. Having a stand will make it easier for me to read while I take notes. I found this one from Ikea that is thin and sleek as well as inexpensive!

BULLETIN BOARD OR PEG BOARD

This year I really wanted to put a bulletin board on my desk for many reasons. Firstly it is great way to post reminders and to keep track of upcoming dates. I have created this calendar for the 2020-2021 school year for you all to use if you wish. You can place it on your bulletin boards and write all of your important dates on it, as well as any to-do’s you have for the day or month. The second reason why is because I wanted a place to put a mood board, my goals and any inspirational quotes. When your so tired and overwhelmed with work you can sometimes lose sight of the big picture. Having your goals and any quotes that inspire you will be a reminder of why you started and the importance of continuing to work hard. All of this will be right in front of you while you work keeping it top of mind and keeping you motivated and organized throughout the school year.

PLANNER

Another item that I think is key for a successful semester is a planner. Having calendar on your bulletin board is one form of a planner but is is very simple. A more detailed planner is good to plan the break down of your day. Virtual classes means that things are less structured and you may feel less disciplined leading to wasted time and less productivity. By having a planner you can organize each day to make sure you stay on task. I find breaking my day down hour by hour keeps me most organized and motivated. You can write down all your class times, when you are going to work, appointments and your to-do list for that day.