Q&A for How to Organize Your School Desk

Get drawer organizers for each type of item in your desk. You can have a container for writing utensils, a smaller container for paperclips, a tray for papers, and so on. That way you can keep all like-items in the same place so they're easy to find.

Take everything out and organize each item by type, like putting all of your pencils in one pile, your papers in another pile, etc. Then, go through each pile and get rid of whatever you don't need, like duplicate items or things you don't use.

Tell your neighbors that they need to come with their own supplies and stay out of your desk. Be firm. If it continues after that, tell the teacher.

If you put stuff back in the same spot every time, and you don't put things in your desk that you don't really need it will stay organized.

Leave some stuff at home and switch out the stuff you need on a daily basis.

Perhaps you could put those things on the floor beneath your desk or chair.

Get a chair bag to keep extra supplies in, such as books, pencil cases etc.

If it has dried, you should be able to scrap it off. Try using the end of a ruler.

If you don't use the case very often, you can put it toward the back for just when you need it. If you take it out often, you can put it next your textbooks.

Ask your friends to tell you how clean they think your desk is on a scale of 1-10, and if it’s a 5 or below for them, ask them and/or other people for suggestions on how to make it cleaner. You could even ask a teacher.

Using masking tape to divide so each person gets part of the desk would work great!

Do you carry things around in your backpack? Try to organize your backpack. How big is the top of your desk? If it's large, you can maybe put reading books in a small box. If it's not too big, put only a pencil cup or case on the desk. Put the extra things under your chair in a box, basket, or your backpack.

Put your notebooks and folders inside your binder, so when you switch to a new class you can just grab it and leave.

Try making two sections: one for textbooks, binders, and other items you use often. Then the other could be used for things you don’t need often, such as reading books for silent time, special folders, or things you need to take home. If you need to organize supplies, you could use your pencil tray if you have one or use a small cup for them.

Don’t put too much stuff in your desk so that it is easier for you to switch desks. Put things that you use every day. You can ask a teacher what supplies you will use tomorrow so that you can bring them with you. Also, you can ask a teacher or a friend to keep some of your things at their desk and give them to you when you need them.

First, you can tell your teacher so they can help you by giving you the right wipes and towels to clean it. You can get pencil shavings by gathering them together then throwing them out.

Hand sanitizer will most likely work for most of the pen and pencil stains.