Getting it all done.

written by: Paige Annee

I will be the first to admit that if there is one thing that I do not handle well, it is stress. Looking in my planner at the exam, case study paper, multiple homework assignments, and four extracurricular meetings that I have over the next three days is enough to send me into a trail of tears.

When looking at these busy weeks, I tend to fall into the same pattern as many others. I sit in my bed, nibble on bags of popcorn, and complain to anyone who will listen about how busy I am. But how much easier would it be to just accept the challenge head on?

My goal for junior year is to handle my time management more appropriately. I think that oftentimes when we see that we have a lot of things to get done, we tend to not start anything at all. I personally am very easily overwhelmed, and often procrastinate during the times when I am the busiest.

I am a strong advocate of keeping a planner, but this year I have also challenged myself to keep a daily schedule as well. Before I go to bed each night, I write my goals for the following day on my iPhone, where it will be easily accessible. On my busiest days, I take these goals and create a time schedule of what I need to get done and when.

Take for example my schedule for October 28, 2015:

9:30 am- Comparative Mythology class

10:30 am- Organization Communication class

11:30 am- Write thank-you letters for scholarships

2:30 pm- Office Hours for LACD 

4:30 pm- LACD Team Meeting

6:30 pm- Brian Lamb School of Communication Mentorship Meeting

7:30 pm- Work out at the Corec

9:00 pm- Finish Case Study paper for Organizational Communication and study for Spanish

I know that looking at all of the things that I need to accomplish on this day would usually send me into a whirlwind of panic, but writing time limits for each task helps me to better organize myself. It helps me realize that my long list of “things-to-do” is feasible!

So the next time you are in over your head with schoolwork, meetings, or whatever it may be, try planning out your day hour-by-hour. All of your goals are possible if you are prepared.