Organize & Prioritize

<= /span>

3D"http://www.smu.ca/commonresources/logo.gif"

close window

Learning Strategies

Organize & Priori= tize

Start by plotting what yo= u have to do for the entire semester, that way when you are creating your week= ly schedules you can reference your semester schedule to properly plan the time needed to complete assignments and tasks.

Now that you have completed a week of keepi= ng track of your activities you now must assign a priority to them. = An easy technique of prioritizing is using the ABC method.

An “A” priority is:

· &n= bsp; One that supports a personal or professi= onal goal and there will be more serious consequences of not completing than= a B or C priority.

· &n= bsp; It is urgent and important.An example is= an exam scheduled in two days time.

A “B” priority is:

· &n= bsp; It is important, but doesn't meet the "A" criteria of urgency.

· &n= bsp; This is something that will need to be completed after all “A” tasks are completed.

An example is a term pape= r due in ten days.

A “C” priority is:

· &n= bsp; It's a nice thing to do, but really not = that important.

An example is doing laund= ry – if you still have some clean clothes, that is!

Work out how much time you have available and when, then list the ta= sks you have to complete, remember your priorities. Assign time limits for each task, be realistic when doing this, don’t under budget or over budget your time.

· &n= bsp; Get out a blank weekly schedule, record = your fixed time commitments first (class time, work etc).

· &n= bsp; Schedule in activities that are essentia= l to daily living, such as eating and sleeping.

· &n= bsp; Plan appropriate study times for each subject; remember to think about your own body clock when doing this.&n= bsp; If you are more alert in the afternoon then schedule in the more challenging tasks, or subjects, therefore you will be more alert and th= ey will not seem as challenging.

· &n= bsp; Schedule leisure time and “free= 221; time. Free time is blocks of time when you have nothing scheduled, they can be used for “catch-up” when needed, or when someth= ing comes up where you have to re organize your time. It is just as important to schedule in your leisure time. Remember to think of = your goals, just because you scheduled in going out with your friends for dr= inks every night does not make it alright, you again make your schedule base= d on short and long term goals. If your long term goal is to finish university and go onto graduate studies, then how is going out with fri= end every night supporting that goal?

· &n= bsp; Double check your schedule; make sure you have everything in there that you need to do and the appropriate amount= of time to complete it. If you find that you do not have enough time, you may need to re evaluate your priorities as well as if you are taking too many classes, or working too much, what can change to make it work = for you?

Now it is time to implement the schedule.

Here are some tips for success:

· &n= bsp; Carry the schedule around with you so th= at you can reference it.

· &n= bsp; Become assertive, learn to say “NO” to those that try and interfere with your schedule, let your friends and family know when you can see them.

· &n= bsp; Trade time if unexpected events arise and use up your time, look at your schedule for where you can adjust to all= ow for missed tasks (this is where the free time is helpful).

· &n= bsp; Make sure you are enjoying each day, if = not identify the reason why.

For more information plea= se see the following websites:

http://gwired.gwu.edu/counsel/asc/index.gw/Site_ID/46= /Page_ID/14576/

http://ezinearticles.com/?Organizing-Work-With-the-AB= C-Method&id=3D71077

close window