Make the Grade with Time Management
“OMG, It's past midnight, and I can't finish my reading for tomorrow's class." "The paper is due this week, and I haven't started working on it yet." “My father (mother, uncle, second cousin) will kill me if I don't get an A in calculus (or history, microbiology, thermal dynamics, literature, or whatever)."
Don't let this be you.
New semesters are opportunities to take responsibility for your education. Yes, earning that A (or even A+) at the end of the semester requires hard work and discipline, but time management is also a big part of academic success. Here are a few suggestions to help you manage your time so you can say in January, "I got an A" rather than "He gave me a D." The secret is planning and organizing priorities.
1. Look at university like a full-time job: If you take 15 credits per semester and do 15 hours of homework every week, you will get good grades and still have nights and weekends off. If you don’t show up for work, you’ll get fired. If you don’t show up for class, you’ll fail.
2. Make a "To Do" list everyday: Use a computer program, schedule book, calendar, or notepad, but make a list of what you need to get done in the order of its importance. "Refresh my highlights" should not be at the top of that list.
3. Use your spare time: If you use the bus system to commute, do some reading while you're waiting for the bus or on the ride. Keep a book in your bag for waiting around times. You'll be amazed at how much you can get done.
4. Learn how to say "No": If your friends want to go to Sports International but you need to study for a test, say no. Make your school work a priority.
5. Know your brain: People have different daily rhythms. If you're better at math in the morning and literature at noon, plan accordingly.
6. Review, review, review: Assuming that you take notes and go to class [seriously, how do you think you'll make the grade if you skip or text/snooze in class?], review them every day to reinforce what you learned. Don't wait until the night before the exam to look over your notes.
7. Get some sleep: Sleeping in your bed is much better than sleeping in class. Postpone late night activities until Friday or Saturday.
8. "Study Zone, Do Not Enter": If you need to study, tell your friends not to call at certain hours. You and only you are responsible for your grades. Make your friends understand that schoolwork has priority. Form a study group.
9. Don't worry so much: Instead of worrying about not getting something done, take a break and clear your head. Exercise is good. You end up actually wasting time by agonizing over lost time. It's a vicious circle. If you need something, talk to your prof ahead of time. He or she will respond better to "I need some help" than "I need to pass this test."
10. Chill: Give yourself a break. Don't set goals that are unachievable. If you mess up a quiz or some homework, take that as an opportunity to do better next time.