Digital Declutter Tips and Tricks

1. Create a consistent naming convention for your files and folders.

• Organize each class’s digital material into separate folders (e.g., IMS 211 – Game Studies).
• Create subfolders for categories such as lecture notes, class activities, projects, topics/concepts, etc.
• Name documents with proper assignment titles/dates to refer back to later.
• At the end of the semester, move all of the class folders into a new folder for the semester (Fall 2023).

2. Use free Chrome Extensions to improve your Canvas experience.

• Tasks for Canvas
  • Keep track of tasks with class progress rings.
  • See all tasks in one place and create your own tasks.
• Better Canvas Plus
  • View the assignments list under each individual class.
  • Dark mode, customizable color gradients, and dashboard grades.

3. Customize your homescreen to keep your workflow organized.

• Laptop sticky notes: free Mac application directly on your desktop
  • Customizable note colors, sizes, fonts, and graphics
• Canva templates
  • Hundreds of free templates for you to customize for your needs.
  • Organize into sections for files, calendars, to-dos, and more.
• App store widgets
  • Add widgets for easy access to reminders, music, calendars, clocks, weather, activity, news, and more.

4. Keep up with incoming emails to get to the bottom of your email inbox

• Use labels
  • Organize different classes, subjects, categories, clients, or projects.
    • Can “nest” labels within others.
  • Color code labels for quick recognition.
• Flag emails
  • Toggle to mark importance with markers and stars.
  • Add star colors and icons to create an organization system.
• Other tips to consider
  • Unsubscribe from irrelevant emails and newsletters.
  • Delete large email strings and attachments to free storage.
  • Determine a system for archiving vs. deleting messages.
    • File things away that don’t require any more attention.
    • Keep things in the inbox if you need to take action.

5. Put your bookmarks bar to work!

• Bookmarking a page
  • Click the star in the search bar to add a page to bookmarks.
  • Rename the page and even add it to a folder.
• Bookmark Manager: store, organize, and display your websites.
  • Organize folders and bookmarks like Google Drive.
  • Rename long titles so they take up less room.
  • Edit, delete, and open bookmarks in the bookmark manager.

6. Use a password manager to increase your efficiency and be more secure!

• LastPass
  • Instantly autofill and access usernames and passwords for saved sites across all devices.
  • Generate safe and secure passwords.
• Norton Password Manager
  • Fills usernames, passwords, addresses, and cards with one click.
  • Secure with two-factor authentication.