A tinge of irony in beginning this post. Originally, I was determined to submit the draft for this post in last Friday… then the weekend shenanigans came of the college scene. Before Friday, I was up to my neck in different tasks to do. Meetings, deadlines for papers, check-ins with teachers, required events, etc. I’m not an unorganized person per se–but it is difficult to keep a grasp on everything that needs to get done. Along with sleeping, there are certain things that help me get through a lot of the madness. But when you’re in the midst of several papers and reading assignments and stumbling to get ready or a meeting that you’re already late for, it seems like nothing will make things calm down.
Being more independent for high school (I attended a boarding school), time management skills were introduced early on. Planners and sticky notes and highlighters anything that would help hallmark important events and required meetings. All of it was super helpful–for the first couple weeks. Of course, planning skills do come a lot easier for others but for me, not so much. So i stuck to the planner routine till it got tedious (which didn’t take long) then I more or less started writing things down anywhere I could. But what counted what WRITING them down, so they exist in a physical form other than memory or e-mail. That aspect alone helped me gather what needed to get done more efficiently.
After facing the facts that writing in random places wasn’t exactly great in terms of organization, I began to keep one sheet of paper per subject and clip into my notebook. That way, it was easier to see what i need to get for each subject. This notion of weening myself back onto a planner-esque organization method worked well. I kept it and it kept my work orderly.
Many people have the notion that organization takes a certain form–books all lined up, neat notes, aligned writing–but I disagree. I’m an avid user of the term “organized chaos”. And it’s perfectly okay to be a bit flustered at times but when stuff hits the fan and assignments are seeming to be thrown from every direction:
1. find a clear work space or tidy up your desk. having that sense of space around helps a lot with mental de-cluttering.
2. paper. pen. list. list the things you need to get done, just word vomit everything and check in with classmates to make you have everything down that is needed.
3. sort. sort the items of the list according to deadlines. What needs to get done THAT night and how prioritized should it be? A good criteria that I’ve developed are asking these questions: is this a subject that I will need to get peer tutoring for? if yes, then mark that the first to get done, it’ll allow more time to seek out help if needed and it’ll be more likely to find help at a reasonable hour ; will I fall asleep doing this? this is more  important than you’d expect. Reading usually lulls me to sleep. So i usually mark it last that way I won’t get sleepy mid-study hall and saving it for last could unwind the stress that arose with previous subjects. ; and lastly, how deep will I dig myself if this assignment isn’t completed to it’s full capacity? Sometimes you just can’t do it all. Procrastination is a killer–we’re really great friends; me and procrastination. Asking yourself this question will get you in a mindset of critically evaluating your performance that day but also with planning for the future.
4. have a time you decide to sit down and start this process. I’m programmed to start homework at 7:30 pm. and it’s good to start to expect when you will start. it also works wonders with planning a daily routine.
In all honesty, you’re going to experience your (possibly) first all-nighter work sesh and not finish what you need to get done. You’ll be a corn husk in class from the lack of sleep. But don’t let it dent your confidence. Use it as a guide for the future. It’s also super easy to fall into the “I have so much time” illusion when there’s so many different going on on campus. Have fun, but make a system for compensating the time. Don’t be so hard on yourself either, takes brakes often, we all need a breather at times.
Organization and time management have a very thin line separating them. I walk the line so much–but I’ve figured what works for me and what doesn’t. It’s important to create and personalize a study routine that doesn’t have unrealistic or super strict study rules. I haven’t found that studying chemistry for a strict two hours helped much, but if that’s your thing, go for it! You do you. Finding your pace will come with time and with the college work load, it’s best to get your feet used to water before joining any major time restricting clubs. Athletics are another thing, but sadly I don’t have too much knowledge to help with navigating that field.
I’m always up for helping plan a plan. Or even with helping plan the plan to make the plan. 🙂 Hopefully this gives an insight to what a time managing and organizing task would look like.
Till next time!