It’s time to ditch your filing cabinet!
Y’all. I am the WORST at organizing my files. Anyone else? I know I’m can’t be the only one…
I could never decide if I liked keeping my hardcopies in a filing cabinet or if I preferred them being in a binder using page protectors. My first few years, I went back and forth between the 2 systems every other year it seems.
Now, I keep all of my files digitally, on Google Drive. And y’all. I swear I’ll never go back. After all, my calendar is digital, my plans are digital, might as well keep my files digital too, right?
I won’t lie, switching over was a little bit of a process (but that’s always the case). I went through one binder at a time and pulled out anything that I didn’t already have a digital version of on my google drive. Then, I just used our copy machine at school to scan them through to my email.
Now, anytime a teammate gives me a worksheet or paper, I just scan it in as I make my weekly copies!
If you want to go digital, here are a few tips…
You don’t have to go all in! You can do a unit at a time all throughout the year if you’re more comfortable with that.
If you have a para or volunteer, teach them how to scan papers using the copy machine for you!
Create a “scanned files” folder where you add everything from you email. Then, when you get a little spare time, you can go through and rename + sort the files.
Use folders. LOTS of folders! I have folders for each subject I teach, then each unit, and then some are even broken down by skill in the unit.
Use PDFcandy.com to split, merge, or rearrange any files! This website is a LIFESAVER. Check it out if you’ve never used it before.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to ditch your filing cabinet yet? I say go for it! I think you’ll love it!
