Scheduling 201
Saturday, May 9, 2009 by Mike Bertolino 
Image: ISU Center for the Study of Education PolicyOne of the first pieces of advice you get to help cope with a college work load is to make a schedule. What they don't tell you is how spontaneous college life can be. Some of the greatest experiences at college can happen as a result of three people sitting in dorm room, doing nothing then deciding to go on some type of adventure. So lets just say this is an advance guide to scheduling and being social at college, because nothing is ever that simple.
Make academics a daily occurence. There aren't enough hours in a day, on the eve of a term paper being due; but there are plenty of hours through out the semester. Studying a little bit everyday will not only make studying more habitual, it will decrease the amount of studying you will have to do per day.
Also, studying during the day can also help clear time for "spontaneity" at night when it's more likely to happen. Cause really, what could happen during the day? People could go out to lunch. So just bite the bullet during the day, then you be thankful.
Start having modified work days. Create a block during the day where you'll do work around the hours that your classes are. Creat a schedule with each day's block and post it somewhere so you can be reminded of it everyday. This could be as the wallpaper on your computer, on a desk or the fridge. While on your workday try to disconnect from everyone and just work. Post up in the top levels of the library, they are usually empty during the beginning of the semester and offer a quiet place for you focus. Once you're finished with your work, head to class or party the night away.
Create relationships in your study zone. The method here is if you are in this study environment then there will be other people, with same values, also studying. So if you are bold enough, make friends at the library or the coffee shop. At some universities libraries are the place to be on campus.
Bring your friends along. They have to study sometime too. They say that if you workout with a friend, especially someone who's in the same shape, going towards the same goal, you'll be more likely to succeed because you can motivate each other. After you have excercised your greatest asset in college, bring that person to the coffee shop, the library or study lounge wherever it maybe to expand you mind.
Do you have any other advice for creating a work schedule in college? If so, comment below or email me at mike@hackcollege.com.
Reader Comments (4)
Excellent points here. It's been said over and over again, and if we'd just listen, we'd excel in our academic careers. In my junior year I adopted the habit of looking at each days material before going to sleep. I'd spend 15-20 minutes total just rereading the notes I took, or the powerpoints etc. The week of the test I was never stressing out the way everyone else does. It may not seem like a lot, but 15 minutes each day adds up, and the more we see this stuff the better it sticks.
Thanks buddy, for some great tips for freshman and seniors alike.
Great post,
I have a relationship in my study zone actually, and it works pretty well. She is always like 'would you come over, maybe we can study a bit.'
The only problem is that I like studying alone more and I'll get more productive on my own, but it's good to share thoughts about subjects.
Making studying a daily habit is something I should do, what Ibrahim said, just reread your notes of the day, that will work out!
Thanks for the advice,
Stefan
Awesome post! I like the part about making academics a daily occurrence. My biggest problem is that I wait until the very last minute to study or write a paper. I always get it done, but it takes me a week to get over the sleep deprivation and stress of waiting until the last minute. I will keep these pointers in mind next semester and I think I will be way more productive!
Remember which friends you can and can not (should not!) bring with you to study. Some mean well but will only distract. Otherwise great article, thanks!