College Life / Suddenly Single
Hello everyone:
Today’s blog is about time management, at the request of one of my students. How do you keep on top of things when juggling work, school, and family? Here are some tips that I have used:
First, keep a month-at-a-glance calendar that shows all of the homework you have due for a specific class. If you have more than one class at a time, which is pretty common, color-code the assignments. I mark up my calendar as soon as the syllabus is available, so that an assignment does not show up unexpectedly. (Now that I am a teacher, I obviously get the syllabus first, but teaching for three colleges, I mark up each college’s work on my calendar accordingly. I know which students will be turning something in and when to expect it, so that I can track my own grading schedule).
Then you need to mark in work commitments, family commitments, and church activities. Take a careful look, so that you know well in advance when you will be having a particularly busy week. Work ahead as much as possible, if you know a busy week is coming. Is there some reading that you can do ahead of time? Does your professor release discussion boards a week ahead of the due date (one of my colleges requires that I do this, to make accommodations for our large groups of military students).
Finally, chart in some down-time. This may be difficult, but you do need to relax. Note: Do not try to guilt-trip your professor into letting you submit things late just because you are overwhelmed. It is not our fault that you work full time, are taking 7 classes for a double-major, and are expecting identical quadruplets the second week of class.
Hope this helps!
Dr. Sheri
Sheri Dean Parmelee
Sheri Dean Parmelee has a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Regent University. She writes books on practical tips for people who become unexpectedly unmarried and is working on her second novel in a series of contemporary romance/suspense novels. She teaches at three colleges, working with students from freshmen to graduate students. Her hobbies include running 8 miles a day and reading biographies and fiction.
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Hi great website! Does running a blog like this require a lot of work? I’ve virtually no expertise in coding however I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyhow, should you have any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic however I simply wanted to ask. Thank you!
Thanks so much for the compliment. One thing about blogging is that you must be consistent about it or your readers will get tired of looking but not finding anything. I blog consistently on Tuesdays and Fridays, because of my face-to-face teaching schedule. I also check to see if anyone has commented on my blog, like now, usually on Saturdays. It takes time and the willingness to show folks how much you care about their success, but it is most definitely worthwhile. My students tell me frequently how much they enjoy coming to the site to see what I have written that will be helpful to their studies.
I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
I’m sorry you thought things were boring but am so glad you came back!
You are a very capable individual!
Thanks so much!