1 - Establish priorities
Not all tasks are essential. Make a prioritized list. Some
tasks can wait. Some tasks can be delegated. Some tasks can be tossed.
2 - Know yourself
Schedule highest priority tasks when you do your best work.
Morning person or night owl – know who you are.
3 - Sleep. Be Healthy
Stress reduces performance, as does lack of sleep. Be sure
to get enough of both. Also, try walking or stretching between study activities
to help clear your mind and reset your brain for new information.
4 - Build in flexibility
An adult learner needs a flexible mindset and a flexible
schedule. Build slack into your schedule to help manage unforeseen obstacles.
Life happens. Plan accordingly.
5 - Let the little things add up
Don’t wait for big chunks of time to get things done.
Whether touching base with an academic advisor, editing a paper, reviewing
notes, or reading a few pages of required reading – small things can be
accomplished in the spaces between other commitments.
6 - Know when it’s survival time
Midterms and finals are not a time for moderation.
Non-essentials should fall to the wayside as you prepare yourself for these
important tests. Let your friends and family know finals are coming so they can
give you the space you need.
7 - Know when it’s celebration time
Celebrate milestones. Acknowledge a job well done. Give
yourself and others permission to be proud of your hard work – and mark the
progression towards your degree.
8 - Compromise
At times, there will not be enough time to get things done
the way you want. When those times happen, trade in excellence for efficiency.
Sometimes, good enough has to be good enough.
Earning a college degree is a cumulative process. If you
develop good time management habits early on – you’ll be able to reward
yourself with a college degree sooner, rather than later.
