Asbury College: Wilmore KY » Beat the Clock!

Beat the Clock! ... Staying on Track with all of your Work and Responsibilities

Now that we have moved into the semester, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all that you have to get done. Where is there enough time?!? Just as you would with a long run, hiking adventure, or summer missions trip, take some time to map out your plans for the semester by using the tips below. Then, when you know where, when, and how you are going, jump right in.

Create a daily schedule and routine

Organize the events and activities of your day, step-by-step, in a simple chart

Be sure to include classes, meetings, work, meals, studying, devotions, exercise, socializing, sleep, free time, chocolate time...
Be realiztic about the amount of time you schedule for each

Display the chart where you will see it

Put it on your bulletin board, in the front of your notebook, in your phone, in your computer
Think about using the alarm functions on your phone or computer to help you remember to go on to the next activity

Try to keep the schedule simple and make it a routine that you can follow every day

As much as possible, schedule "irregular" events at the same time each week (i.e., Wednesday afternoons)
Use visual cues or sound alarms to help you remember "irregular" events
If you are trying to add a new behavior (such as taking a medication or checking your planner), pair it with something you already do regularly - so every time you go to check your email, you have to look at and update your planner

Transitions can be challenging, so you may want to esstablish simple routines for ending one activity and moving to another

For example, set an alarm if you decide to take a nap. Or plan to spend 15 minutes on email, knowing that you will then open Word and work on a paper.

Set up a daily homework routine

Set up a quiet area free from distractions to do homework. In the same place, keep school materials, folders, binders, books, and papers

Figure out under what conditions you study best and then recreate those conditions for yourself. Some people need noise in the background, other people don't; some need people around, others don't. Do what works for you, but experiment first - you may be surprised.
When you do homework or study, work in short periods, typically 30-40 minutes, then take a short 5-10 minute break doing something COMPLETELY different.
Build in rewards for getting studying done. A movie night? Extra time at the pool? A free night to hang out with friends?

Consider establishing a routine for the end of homework time. For example, you can put your completed homework immediately into your folder or backpack and put the folder or backpack in a special place where it won't be forgotten the next day.

Use your daily planner to establish your homework and after-class schedule

Take your syllabi and transfer all important dates into your planner

Create a weekly/monthly project schedule

It may help to break large, more complex projects into smaller steps (science projects, book reports, etc.) with due dates for each step

Keep the project calendar prominently displayed in the homework area and even add these dates to your daily planner

Break school assignments into smaller, more manageable portions which can be completed in a timely manner

Review due dates every day, but focus on what needs to be done TODAY

By having an overall plan in place, then primarily focusing on today's task, you reduce your sense of being overwhelmed and not knowing where to begin

Make a weekly schedule of chores

Add your chores (i.e., laundry, sweeping your floor, going to the store) to your planner

Watch for wasted time and eliminate it

Review your notes or read during that 10 minutes in which you wait for class to begin
Reduce the number of times you check your email to only 2 or 3 times a day
Limit your time surfing the web and checking Facebook
Try to study between classes and dinner so that you have your evenings free to hang out with your friends and do other fun things