The Start of a New Quarter

A new quarter begins again on Monday! Like a new year, many of us think about all the ways we can make this a great quarter, better than the last. One of my resolutions at the start of each new quarter is to manage my time better, in other words, to avoid procrastination. And, every quarter, I feel like deadlines sneak up on me, or I find a lot of more interesting or "important" things to do instead of working on a paper or project. Unfortunately, I have not found a magic formula or study tip that makes my tendency to put things off until the last minute disappear. However, each quarter I am a little better than the last. Here are a few things that have helped me and other students manage time well.

Use A Planner

Stop by TRiO and pick up a free LWIT student planner. The planner has two sections: monthly calendars and weekly calendars with plenty of space for each day. On the monthly calendars, write in all of the major deadlines you have for class. This can keep assignment due dates from sneaking up on you. The weekly/daily calendars are great for making checklists for each day.

You can also use this handy, one-page quarter calendar to keep track of assignment deadlines. Quarter calendars saved me during school a number of times. When everything is on one page, posted somewhere I see it on a regular basis (like the front of my binder), deadlines do not catch me by surprise. Fill out the quarter calendar as soon as you have you syllabi for each class.

Schedule Time for School and for Fun

On your monthly calendars, include family gatherings, dates, or get-togethers with friends. Scheduled time for fun can help you keep up with school deadlines. One way people plan their homework and fun is to get all of their homework done before Sunday, so Sunday is a free day to do whatever they want. Also, plan times to celebrate when you complete a major assignment or after you take a test. Having something to look forward to can help you stay motivated.

Take breaks. Set a timer for the amount of time you plan to study (usually an hour is a good length) and then take a break. Make sure you come back from your breaks, though. Try setting a break timer as well.

Keep Your Goals in Mind

There often comes a point in the quarter when we just want to be done. When everything is overwhelming. At those points, remember your short term and long term goals. Do you hope to get a certain grade in the class? Do you want to finish every assignment on time? What degree do you want to earn and why? I recently learned the importance of having a team of personal advisers, people who know my goals and dreams, who I can go to when I need support. Seek out the people who support your goals, and go to them when you need encouragement.