What are your most pressing obligations, other than your studies, that will have to fit into your time-management plan? Are any of them more important to you than doing well in college? Why or why not?
To help combat the urge to procrastinate, you should think about how to prioritize your tasks, goals, and values. Which goals and objectives are most important to you and most consistent with your values? Which are the most urgent? For example, studying in order to get a good grade on tomorrow’s test might have to take priority over attending a job fair today. However, don’t ignore long-term goals in order to meet short-term goals. With good time management you can study during the week prior to the test so that you can attend the job fair the day before. Skilled time managers often establish priorities by maintaining a to-do list (discussed in more detail later in this chapter), ranking the items on the list to determine schedules and deadlines for each task.
Another aspect of setting priorities while in college is finding an appropriate way to balance your academic schedule with the rest of your life. Social activities are an important part of the college experience. Time alone and time to think are also essential to your overall well-being.
For many students, the greatest challenge of prioritizing will be balancing school with work and family obligations that are equally important and are not optional. Good advance planning will help you meet these challenges. But you will also need to talk with your family members and your employer to make sure that they understand your academic responsibilities. Most professors will work with you when conflicts arise, but if you have problems that can’t be resolved easily, be sure to seek support from the professionals in your college’s counseling center. They will understand your challenges and help you manage and prioritize your many responsibilities.
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