I cannot emphasize this enough: organization is key. While keeping an organized room and study space is essential, I am mainly referring to how you organize your thoughts and plan out your activities.
When I was a Freshman, I was incredibly overwhelmed by the amount information thrown at me, the amount of emails I got every day, and the never ending daily pre- and post-assignments for many of my classes. I can say with certainty that I would not have gotten through my freshman year (or the rest of college) without my planner.
My daily planner is where I write my to-do list each day, when my assignments are due, and any other little reminders for myself (friend’s birthdays, bills due, etc). With so much going on, my planner makes it easy to centralize all of my thoughts and prioritize my work.
My planner is a physical notebook that I carry with me wherever I go. Every year, I purchase a new one with a design that fits my current lifestyle and needs. If a paper planner is not for you, don’t worry! There are plenty of digital options as well. Check out Todoist, the online planning tool that can do it all.
Just remember: the most important thing is that you find a system that works best for YOU and keeps you motivated to cross those items off your to-do list, whether it be on paper or online.