Are you a student who needs help avoiding procrastination, like putting off essays until the last minute? Frequently missing assignment deadlines? If this sounds like you, it’s time to streamline your routine! Here are a few tips on how to do that:
1. Simplify
Your brain thrives on structure and routine. If you’re living moment-to-moment, your brain expends much of its energy in fight or flight mode, and that can get exhausting! However, by taking a few minutes out of each day to build out a schedule (and stick to it), you’ll gain control over your days with increased brain power!
Start by listing out daily tasks including routines, chores, errands, and obligations big and small. Then, assign each task an average completion time. Consider the time it takes to get ready in the morning, commute, do homework assignments, read course chapters, and study for tests, for example. Then decide on a calendar system that works for you. This calendar system could be an app on your phone, an agenda notebook, or another system all your own. Whatever system you choose, commit to using it every day.
Once you commit to a scheduling system, you can start to fill it in with tasks. Figure out what times during the day you’re most productive, creative, and alert. Some people are more engaged in the morning, while others are more so at night. Use these prime times to complete an assignment, write a paper, or study for a test. Also, schedule in time to decompress — time for yourself. A solid schedule should include tasks such as eating, sleeping, studying, working, running errands, exercising, socializing, and relaxing. Providing some unscheduled buffer time between tasks will also leave room for the unexpected. By building a more regimented schedule, your brain power will have more reserved energy that you can dedicate to schoolwork!
2. Prioritize
Our brains love routine, but what do we do with those pesky tasks that crop up unexpectedly?
The best way to tend to these little nuisances is to build a daily to-do list and prioritize each task by level of importance. One way to do so is by using the ABC method. The highest priority tasks get assigned an “A”, medium priority tasks a “B”, and less important tasks that have very little impact if they’re not completed right away are assigned a “C”. You can knock out the tasks on your to-do list during your buffer time by completing them in priority order. You can also break overwhelming tasks down into multiple subtasks and decide when you want to conquer each step individually. Visit your calendar and to-do list twice a day — once at the beginning of the day and once toward the end of the day, crossing off tasks as they are completed. Your brain will enjoy seeing the progress, and you’ll feel more motivated and accomplished!
Keep in mind that there may be some incomplete tasks remaining at the end of the day, but that’s totally normal. Just shuffle those tasks to another day and prioritize your to-do list again. This will allow you to make a fresh start.
- Titan Tip: Add “check your Titan student email” to your daily to-do list and prioritize it with an “A” so you don’t miss important messages from EFSC!
3. Minimize
Minimize the clutter! Create an electronic or hard copy filing system for all your course work. Label the folders by course name or any other reference you might prefer. The first page of every folder should also include a copy of the syllabus and any other relevant materials.
Next, create subfolders for tests, quizzes, homework, essays, study guides, and notes, where you can store all your important paperwork. Creating a filing system like this will help you to quickly find materials that are useful for mid-terms, finals, papers, and even future courses.
Whether you use a calendar app or an old-school desk calendar, simplifying your schedule, prioritizing your days, and minimizing your clutter are all great ways to start getting organized. For more tips, check out the EFSC Career Center’s Time Management and Organizational Skills workshop or schedule a session with a Student Success Advisor today.
Before long, you’ll be running your days instead of them running you!
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