I have a confession: I’m sort of obsessed with lists. Whether it’s a shopping list, top 10 list or to-do list, organizing the things in my life into lists keeps me sane. But making lists really helps me out: I find if I don’t write out everything I have to do (errands, school work, chores at home, etc.), I’ll forget.

I’ve recently discovered a new way to help me organize all the things on my to-do list: Clockblock. Clockblock is a site that aims to help you manage your time better by prioritizing your to-do list.

What’s great about Clockblock  is that it’s quick and easy to use. Unlike other to-do list or calendar programs, Clockblock just asks three things when creating a list item: what is it, when is it due, and is it important? The site then sorts the list for you, based on due date and importance. Important tasks are in larger boxes, and the tasks due soon are nearest to the top and lightest in color, making it easy for you to see what needs to be done with just a glance.

You also have the option of creating a number of different lists, so you can have one per class or maybe one for school, one for work and one for home. It’s a great way to keep from getting overwhelmed by having too many items on one list. Plus, you can choose a different colored theme for each list, which can help you keep track of which list is which.

I love how easy Clockblock makes it for me to keep track of everything I have to do. And it also makes it hard for me to procrastinate with the bright colors and large boxes showing me what’s urgent. I can see myself becoming more productive already!

I’m a huge fan of to-do lists. If I don’t write it down, there’s a good chance I’ll forget to do it. Some days, however, time gets away from me and I don’t end up getting as much done as I’d planned — and then I’m stuck with a bunch of leftover tasks that have to get added to the next day’s list. This is one of my pet peeves, because there is nothing more satisfying than looking at my to-do list and seeing all that I’ve crossed off it.

Now, with iDoneThis, I can get that feeling of accomplishment every day, even if I have unfinished tasks still on my to-do list. Every day, iDoneThis sends you an email asking what you’ve done that day, which you can simply reply to with a list of what you’ve accomplished. iDoneThis then takes your responses and plugs them in to your calendar, which you can browse through to see all that you’ve done today, this week, over in the last month, or even as far back as your account exists.

Besides day-to-day tasks, think of all the great uses for iDoneThis! You could use it to track your diet and fitness goals, such as what you’ve eaten or how much you’ve exercised, track progress of school assignments, keep a daily diary or store memories. The possibilities are endless; it’s up to you to decide how iDoneThis can help you!

iDoneThis‘s premise may be simple, but shifting focus to what you’ve accomplished instead of what you still have left to do is a great way to keep you motivated!

Whoa. We are thisclose to New Year’s, and with each new year also comes the inevitable making of resolutions.  While resolutions are great ideas in theory (who can honestly say there’s nothing about themselves that they could possibly improve on?), most people (including me) have a hard time sticking to their new plan much past the first few weeks of January. Or even the first few hours.

The best tactic for keeping those resolutions alive is writing those resolutions down on a list; seeing them every day helps remind you what you’re working on. That is, until you “lose” that piece of paper, or just ignore it on your way to Dunkin Donuts for a super fatty Boston Creme.

Which is why everyone needs to check out 43 Things, a website that lets you create your own personal to-do list.  I’ve always made handwritten to do lists, but I love how 43 Things’ online version fits into the technology-centered lifestyle of our society.  Each time you set a new goal, you can choose to set a reminder as well for a specified amount of time (every day, a few months later, the following year, etc.), and 43 Things will send you an e-mail reminding you about the goal you’ve set.

It’s also a sort of online/blogging community, so you can see what kinds of goals other people are setting (to give yourself ideas), and you can cheer on others or offer them help on things you’ve already done–and you can get help on your goals in return.

Plus, now they offer an iPhone app as well, so you can keep your list with you at all times and track the progress you’ve made on accomplishing your goals.

With the help of 43 Things, maybe 2010 will be the year you’ll actually keep your resolutions! Good luck and Happy New Year!!

Beautify. Nothing like cruising into a new semester of classes feeling like hot sh*t. Book your appointments early for those caterpillar eyebrows, exposed roots, and crusty feet.

Prepare for potential hanky-panky. (Yep, I did just call it hanky-panky.) Visit to the gyno? Check. Birth control stockpile? Check. Brazilian wax? Check. Stop trying to salvage period-stained panties — as my motto goes, new school year, new lacy underthings.

Buy new dorm / apartment / house décor! Draw some inspiration from Apartment Therapy and go to town. May we suggest wall decals, some choice picture frames and scented candles?

Pick up a new planner. Steal one from freshman orientation if you have to, and then neatly pencil in important dates (your boyfriend’s grandmother’s birthday, any club meeting with free food, the three-year anniversary to the day you got your v-card swiped, etc.) There’s nothing quite like touching a spankin’ new notebook — devoid of uncompleted to-do lists — for the very first time.

Evaluate your finances. If you’re anything like me, you’ve all but avoided checking your banking account for a summers’ worth of glorious sales, extravagant dining and uninhibited bar-hopping — but it is, my friends, something that must be done. Pay off your outstanding bills and determine your budget for the upcoming year so you know exactly how many hours you have to slave away at Applebee’s this fall.

Speaking of jobs… update your resume. ‘Cause let’s face it, you’re not going to even want to think about cleverly crafting bullet points about your summer of servitude well into Welcome Week. Or Rush Week. Or Recovery from Rush Week. Or any of the subsequent weeks after that, really. Get it out of the way now so the moment you encounter the perfect side-job to finance your weekend boozing, you’ll be ready-for-hire.

Do a massive overhaul of your wardrobe. Barring the sentimentally priceless — though really, it’s time to part with the chocolate-stained denim capris that remind you of your high school summer camp fling — donate or eBay the stuff you don’t wear. It goes without saying, but gauchos are not coming back in this lifetime. Head to American Apparel (or Targét — that’s how I roll) to stock up on your favorite basics. Reorganize your jewelry, and splurge on one pair of fabulous, fabulous heels.

Catch up on old seasons of your favorite trashy television. This is obviously the most crucial on the list. Between TiVo and internet video, there are no excuses to be made anymore — because God forbid you watch the Gossip Girl premiere without having seen the one where Serena dies. What? Yeah, see?

Invest in Sunscreen- I know. I sound like your mom. That’s because I’m quoting my own mom. But seriously its been months since your skin has been exposed to the sun. The only thing more tragic than coming back with cornrows from the Caribbean is returning to school with a 3rd degree burn and 4 inch blister on your face (true story).

Begin Drinking Dangerous Amounts- (And this is part of the blog where I veer away from anything my mom has ever said.) In just a few days you will be drinking more alcohol than your liver could ever imagine and unless you want to die, it’s essential you start building up your tolerance ASAP. I know that a lot of people have midterms this week but that’s no excuse to be letting your guard down. There should be beers at every breakfast and shots with every snack. If there is any point during the day where you could legally drive, you are not preparing yourself responsibly for whats going to happen during break.

Start Sleeping- When you’re not drinking, you should be sleeping. Sleep so much that you will never want to sleep again. Because you won’t be sleeping. Not for an entire week. Chances are that if you’re not in the mood to get some, your roommate will be. There’s no hope for any 8-hour nights in any spring break destination.

Pack Immodium- Ew. Gross. I know. But some of the places where people will be traveling aren’t exactly known for their safe water and hygienic food practices. All it takes is one slurp of tap water from the bathroom for you to be keeled over for the rest of the break. Save yourself and your dignity by packing a just-in-case box.

Buy a One-Piece- If you haven’t already begun the rigorous (and traditional) spring-break-no-eat-find-out-where-the-school-gym-is diet yet, there is no longer any chance for you get that six-pack that you talked about during New Year’s Resolutions. But don’t freak out. Nothing covers up a long winter of eating like a one-piece. Tankini’s are so 90′s and two-pieces are too flashy. Opt for the always classy one-piece. Maybe even go strapless! If all else fails go for the Speedo lifeguard suit. It’s a great conversation piece and it’s make people feel surprisingly safe around you.

Google Celebrities+Spring Break- Find out exactly which D-list celebrities will be at your spring break location and start bragging. Don’t let anyone else feel like they picked the better destination because Spencer and Heidi will be hosting a wet-t-shirt contest. Let them know that DJ Juice will be kickin it old school next to your hotel. And if there’s no one at your destination, make it up. I thought I had made up DJ Juice until I just googled and found out that he would be making a spring break appearance.

What are your last-minute tips for a great spring break?

I’m happy to share – after all, that is what this column is all about – so check them out!

1. Make a schedule for yourself.

This is really the most basic time-management tool. I use a daily planner and I write a new to-do list for each day. Then I cross things out as I finish them. For longer-term projects, I write down the due date and then I write down what I need to accomplish on the project on a daily or weekly basis. You can do whatever works for you—color-code your schedule, write it on a white board, use an electronic calendar, etc.

2. Consolidate activities.

I used to go to the bank every time I got a new check, which sometimes meant I’d be going several times per week. I wasn’t using that money immediately after depositing it, so there was no reason for me to go so often. Now, I only go to the bank once every two weeks. It saves me tons of time, and I just keep all my checks together until I go on my biweekly trip.

Think about the things you do often—run errands, cook, do homework—and then think about whether you can consolidate any of them. Maybe it would help you to cook several huge batches of food on weekends and then freeze them in meal-sized portions to use throughout the week. Can you do a quick math assignment while you’re riding the subway or waiting on the phone for a customer-service rep? If so, you’ll have more free time later.

3. Eliminate activities.

There are probably a few hobbies you have that you really enjoy doing, and a few things you do that you may consider a slight waste of time. I spend way too much time surfing the Internet, so if I’m going to write a big article or work on a portion of my book, I’ll disable my wireless connection. If you feel like you watch too much TV, you might want to drop a couple of shows from your repertoire and catch up on episodes online later (but only if you have extra time). Consider your biggest time-wasters (Bromance, anyone?), and get rid of them! You’ll be amazed at how your week opens up if you downgrade this way.

I know many of you guys are multitasking mavens, so please feel free to share more tips in the comments!

[Image courtesy of blogs.theage.com.]

On the upside, there are definitely several things to look forward to, like our NCAA National Football Championship airline ticket giveaway, and a couple more items on the to-do list before the ball drops on 2009. Of course, if you’re looking for that perfect gift, perhaps a personal DIY project will do just the trick. Getting dolled up a la Twilight stars and pole-dancing for fitness are two of our new fave ways to look hot.

And when it comes to staying warm this season, there’s nothing like a little personal company. Whether you did the dirty with your first serious significant other or it led to a walk of shame, we’re all looking for some body heat to get us through the winter. We discussed the benefits of getting down with the game playa or the honest boy, and the scandalous new phenomenon of “sexting.” Regardless of who, when, or how often you’re hooking up, one thing is for certain: ladies are definitely getting some for themselves these days.

If all of that doesn’t help you through the end of finals, at least take these tips for saving your grades and stick around next week for more CollegeCandy fun!