By: Naomi
School

Behind in Classes?

Snow days have come and gone, but you’re terribly behind on your thesis and all your math problems. Sound familiar?

Today’s post is for the days you feel completely overwhelmed and perhaps a bit lost. Here are my tips to get back on track in on day!

1. Clean Up Your Study Space

  • Take 30 minutes to an hour tidying up your work area. My desk is in my bedroom, so I not only clean up my desk, but also tidy my room and put away anything out of place.
  • Set an alarm so you don’t get distracted or carried away. The goal is to take care of a lot in one day, which can’t happen if you start to reorganize your closet.

2. List Assignments by Due Date

  • Make a list of any assignments which are overdue.
  • If you have a medical reason for missing these assignments, print off or get the paperwork needed for late submissions (or contact professors/ teachers via email) so you won’t receive late marks.
  • Now, make a list of all assignments coming up in the next two weeks in order of due date.

3. Create Assignment Folders

  • Count the number of assignments you have, and take out that number of folders. If you don’t have folders, that’s okay- you can use binder or paper clips.
  • For each folder, label it and then put the assignment instructions, research, notes, and anything else you have that is relevant to the assignment.
  • If you think it will take 15 minutes or less, do a bit of research for the assignments, print the research off, and
  • Store or stack these assignment folders by due date.

CHECK IN: If you have any overdue assignments which you don’t have a medical note for, stop here and complete them now. Start with the shortest ones and continue to the more time consuming assignments. You might be staying up very late today, but you can do it!

4. List Tests and Exams by Date

  • Make a list of all midterms, quizzes, and exams coming up in the next two weeks.
  • On this list, include all you know about the content of the quiz. For example, write down the lectures and textbook chapters you will be studied on, as well as any key concepts or questions you think will be covered.

5. Create Course Priorities for Studying

  • Start with the tests & assignments that are coming up first!
  • Then, look at how you are doing in each course.  Prioritize the classes you may be having more trouble with.

Now you have a clean room, know what you have coming up in the next two weeks, have all assignments organized, and have a prioritized list for studying! Feel better? All in a day’s work