Time Is of the Essence Use a planner. Planning will relieve stress. Using a planner leaves less room for error. Keeping track. If you plan out each day, you will know how the different pieces of your college life fit together. With more planning comes more time. The more time you take to plan, the more free time you’ll have.

Time Is of the Essence (continued) Choose your planner wisely. Types of planners Web-based organizers Paper calendars or bound planners Planning apps on Smartphones and iPads Schedule details of your daily life. Academic life Work responsibilities Extracurricular activities Personal life

Time Is of the Essence (continued) Add assignment and test details. Most instructors distribute a syllabus. Add information about assignment due dates, test date, office hours, and any other relevant information to your planner for each course. Make a study plan. Write down what day you will begin assignments and what day you will start studying for tests. Mapping out an assignment and study plan can mean the difference between rushed and quality work.

Incorporate your To-Do List in your Planner

Battling Procrastination Why do you procrastinate? Challenging or confusing academic material. Lack of interest in topics you’re studying. Other activities or tasks are more fun. You’re overwhelmed by the amount of work. Distractions, such as technology, occupy much of your time.

Battling Procrastination (continued) What can you do about procrastination? Tackle challenging assignments first. Build in rewards. Include both academic and fun activities. Break your work into chunks. Work in intervals and take breaks. Use a to-do list. Prioritize your list. Determine what must get done.

5 Ways Smart Students Combat Procrastination 1.Schedule study dates with a classmate to keep each other on task. 2.Move to a different location when your room or home becomes too much of a distraction. 3.Set Smartphone alarms to remind you to get working. 4.Give friends permission to point out when you’re procrastinating. 5.Block out a few 30-minute chunks to enjoy Facebook and respond to rather than checking throughout the day.

Finding a Balance Always start with academics. You must schedule time to work on academics every day. Your schedule will lead the way. Using a planner will give you a better sense of what you can add to your life and what you might need to cut back on. Your planner will be invaluable as you assess what you can and cannot handle.

Finding a Balance (continued) All work and no play isn’t a good solution. When you’re assessing your daily and weekly schedule, be sure to carve out some time for fun, relaxation, physical activity, and a meaningful hobby or passion. Be flexible. You may need to adjust your schedule as your circumstances change.