I know a lot of us here probably have the same problem I do: We get excited about something and run off to do it right away, or we leave our rooms before we know we have everything...

Well, the solution I have for this is very simple. Tape a sign to your door, to remind you what you need before you leave. For instance, I have a big, bold sign now that says:

Keith, STOP. Think and Ask Yourself: Do you have your: Keys? Wallet? Watch? Phone? Notepad and Pen? Meds? Books? Do you know what day it is? Do you have a plan for the rest of the day? Have you eaten or are you on your way to eat? OK then.

Big and bold, can't miss it. I also have my weekly schedule taped to the door, because I can hardly remember a normal schedule, let alone a whacky college one...

That's all, I just thought I'd throw that out there.

I have my PDA set to do basically the same thing every morning. An alarm goes off to refresh my memory on the things I want to commit to that day. Mechanical aspects you have mentioned above I like to set my tone mentally and deliberately that I'm choosing to do some of the less interesting but necessary things I've got in front of me.

I find I have to change the message once in a while to keep it from becoming invisible.
ian

Hey,
I had a problem with locking myself in my room, and then found out that there was a setting on the door knob where you can turn off the lock when door shuts function.

I have a system that works really really well:
-keys: I have a lanyard, and they hang on the door knob, or on a hook right by the doorway, close to the light switch. That way it's automatic to shut the lights off/on, and your hand is right there by the keys.

-wallet etc: I'm a female, so I have a purse that I carry with me, and that hangs on the doorknob.

-cell phone: charger is plugged in on the bar fridge that is right beside the door when I come in. I walk in, see it, charge it. When I leave, I do a quick scan, and since I bought a bright rainbow-lightening patterened faceplate for it, I see it right away

-day planner: I made my own, it looks professional, and it basically lives in my bag. I use it, if I leave it out, I think uh-oh, I better put that back in my knapsack.

-stuff I need for errands... I have a file folder that is in my knapsack. It's oriented so that the top is the shorter side of the standard 8.5x11 paper. Colour coded files, which I labeled with my labelmaker. I keep my readings in there, accommodation letters for exams, forms I need to hand in soon (I tag them with post it tags, so they stick up and I see that I still have stuff to hand in - to profs, housing, etc)

-pencil case: it's bright yellow, it lives in my knapsack usually when I don't use it.

-sunglasses: I keep in a little basket by the door (with my cell phone charger)

One suggestion would be to find a sturdy organizer for shoes that hangs on the door, with clear pockets. You could then keep all your stuff in those pockets, and you would see what you need to take with you as you head out. Keys, wallet, etc.
Everything is there, but it's still in sight, and organized.
It would allow for some freedom too, since you don't have to assign things to specific pockets