Do you find yourself in class, panicking because of an assignment that you forgot about until your instructor asked for it? How many times do you realize late at night that you have a test or paper due the next day? Are you falling behind in one or more classes because of missed or late work? Read the Tech Tip, and for at least one week try out a digital solution to your homework assignment woes.
Once you have plotted your future commitments with a term planner and decided how your time will be spent each week, you can stay on top of your obligations with a to-do list, which is especially handy for last-minute reminders. It can help you keep track of errands you need to run, appointments you need to make, e-mail messages you need to send, or anything you’re prone to forget. You can keep this list on your cell phone (see Figure 2.5) or in your notebook, or you can post it on your bulletin board. Some people start a new list every day or once a week. Others keep a running list and throw a page away only when everything on the list is done. Whichever method you prefer, use your to-do list to keep track of all the tasks you need to remember, not just academics. You might want to develop a system for prioritizing the items on your list: highlight; different colors of ink; one, two, or three stars; or lettered tasks with A, B, C. As you complete a task, cross it off your list. You might be surprised by how much you have accomplished—and how good you feel about it.
Being a good student does not necessarily mean studying day and night and doing little else. Notice that the Daily Planner (Figure 2.6) includes time for classes and studying as well as time for other activities. Keep the following points in mind as you organize your day: