Use one centralized method of keeping track of dates and to-do lists. It can be digital or physical but make sure it is accessible. At the beginning of the semester use your syllabi to put in the big projects/dates right away.
Find out what time of the day you work best and set that aside as work time. Even if it means getting up a little earlier, you are saving time by working more efficiently.
Organize your to-do list into 2-3 categories.
High priority: due dates that are very soon (this week), larger projects that are worth more points (tests, papers), anything with immediate/large consequences for not doing or doing well
Medium Priority: due dates that are within the next few weeks, projects that are worth less points
Low priority: due dates far in the future, things that require other work to be completed first
Procrastination/Distraction
If something will take less than 10 minutes, do it as soon as you think about it! Having it done frees up more time and mental space later.
Try the snowball effect: knock out a few smaller projects that aren’t as time consuming to help your to-do list feel more manageable and boost motivation to keep working.
Setup a workspace that is conducive to focusing. Keep anything that may be distracting out of sight (TV, phones, etc) and turn off notifications.
Keep the work area tidy to reduce stress and help you find everything you need.
Try listening to white or brown noise if you find you need extra stimulation to stay focused.
Create a separate work user on your computer to create a digital space without distractions of unnecessary apps and websites.
Start with the most difficult parts of a project so it is easier to come back to work.
Always stop your work at a place that makes sense so you know what you were doing and can pick it back up quickly.
Study Group Tips
Study Group Tips
Find the people: Identify 3 to 5 students who have a serious interest in joining a study group and are motivated, dependable, and accepting of the ideas of others. Sometimes your closest friends are NOT the best choice for a study group! With close friends, it may be too tempting to focus on things other than what need to be studied.
Organize the group: Make a contact list with everybody's email addresses and phone numbers, and distribute copies to everyone in the group.
Set a schedule: Decide how long, how often, and where the group will meet. Identify a space that is relatively quiet and free of distractions. If you change the location for each meeting, make sure everyone knows where the next meeting is going to be held.
Set goals: Come up with goals for the group. Will you compare notes and modify your own notes if needed? Do you plan to discuss lectures and readings? Or is the group focused on studying for one or more specific exams?
Choose a leader: Decide who will lead the study sessions. You can choose to have one leader for all sessions, or you can rotate the leadership responsibility among the group members.
Create and follow an agenda: The group can create a plan fo each study session, or that can be the responsibility of the group leader. It is the leader's responsibility to keep the group on task during the meetings. A written plan can help all group members see what needs to be accomplished.
Keep up attendance: Keep track of attendance. It can help to create some kind of system of reminders for each other, and it may be that the group needs to add new members as others leave.