Ryan ChartrandBy the time this column is published, I should be curled up in a tight ball whimpering like I just got kicked in the balls. Why? Because between a quiz, midterm, 2 papers, a long interview for one of the papers, writing this column, a report on a court case and a “stalking assignment,” I barely even had the time to breathe this week.
That being said, everyone knows how it feels to have too much work and too little time to do it in. We’re in college; we’re busier than a starving hummingbird in a gigantic pot of flowers.
So what do you do when you have so much to do that it’s not plausible to get your homework done and get enough sleep? You figure out how to manage your time.
The thing is there is no one, simple way to make everyone stop procrastinating and start working on what they’re supposed to be doing. It really requires a bit of experimentation.
One thing you can try out is planning your every second. Getting a planner and writing down what you need to do is a great way to make sure you do everything. El
Corral and pretty much every drug or office supply store in the city carries them.
Generally it’s a great way to organize your life, especially if you’re the forgetful type.
Another step students can take is to get away from their computer. OK, maybe you need your computer to do your homework. I know I need my computer for at least 70 percent of my work. So, how do you take a step away from your computer without leaving your desk chair? Turn off your Internet unless you absolutely need it. And no,
MySpace isn’t a credible source for your research paper.
Also, turn off all other electronics that could possibly get you off task, such as the television or your cell phone (no texting your friends!). Don’t turn on your iPod if you’re going to sing along; it’s more distracting than you think. The less there is around you capturing your attention, the more work you’ll probably get done.
Some people need to be in certain environments to study. Some can study in the library while some watch people instead of doing their work. A few people can study on their beds just fine while others fall asleep almost instantly. Again, it’s up to you to find out the best place to study.
Similarly, some people do better under the pressure of not having enough time. I know I’ve written some of my best work while thinking I didn’t have enough time to write a finished, coherent and well-written paper let alone one that I thought could be my “best.” Others truly feel that they need every second they can get in order to perfect what they are doing.
Either way, it is important to find out the best way to manage your time so that you get the maximum amount studying time in during the weeks that will make or break your quarter.