Getting Back on Track

By Alex Bolten

Hopefully you had a nice and relaxing break! While it was nice to have this time off, it’s now time to get back into the swing of things, because we are in the second week of the semester already. It’s important to make sure that you don’t get behind and stay on top of things from the start, as this semester is a week shorter than the fall.

Here are three strategies that I have used throughout my college career to keep myself on track. See what works for you, and adapt these methods to best fit your learning needs.

1.     Lists

a.     I usually take a look at my syllabi and see what’s going to be due later in the week in terms of homework. On Sundays, I write down what will need to be done and determine the day(s) on which the particular task can be accomplished. By Friday, my lists are usually all crossed off, and I don’t have to use any of my free time on the weekends playing catch-up.

2.      Use your calendar

a.     I have 3 calendars: a big one on my wall, my mortar board/agenda calendar in my backpack, and my phone’s calendar. I mark important dates of assignments, projects, and exams. I may not always get to work ahead on these things, but I’m always aware of when they’re due.

3.     Limit distractions

a.     I tend to get distracted really easily (we all do!). My problem is checking “Facebook,” or “Buzzfeed,” or “Yahoo!” when I do not really want to work on my assignments. To help get rid of this problem, I downloaded a website blocking app to my MacBook’s desktop called “SelfControl.” I can set a specific time for sites to be blocked, as well as the names of the webpages that I know will be distracting (for example, I always block “Facebook,” but not my email, as I may need that whilst I work). Each operating system uses a different app to block sites, and you can Google which one would work on your laptop. I’ve found this method to be highly effective and it has certainly increased my productivity, because I can’t go to the site that would otherwise waste hours of my time

Try these strategies to get you back on track for the semester. I know I’ve had to really push myself to implement them, but they have started to work. Again, see what does and doesn’t work for you. You know yourself more than anyone else, and you know what’s going to aid in your learning and productivity.