The 5 step plan
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Need a quick fix to get your time under control?
...Trying to juggle lots of different commitments...?
...All your deadlines coming up at once...?
...It's not surprising if you feel overwhelmed.
If it feels like your time is out of control and you don't know how to get it all done, try this quick plan to get back on top of things...
1. List everything you need to do
Being reminded of how much you have to do may feel like the last thing you want. But while you don't have a proper idea of what you need to do, it'll carry on feeling overwhelming. Listing it is the first step in taking control.
2. Break down big tasks into smaller steps
Tasks always feel less overwhelming if you tackle them one step at a time. Rather than "write essay - start Friday", try thinking "write 350 words for essay introduction - finish Friday".
3. Organise under three headings - now, soon and later
Be realistic about what needs doing now - assignment deadlines are the priority, background reading can probably wait till later. Some of the things under the 'later' heading may turn out to be things you don't need to do after all.
4. Do something from the 'now' list immediately and tick it off the list.
Getting one thing done will help you feel calmer. If you have a deadline coming up, start to get that piece of work out of the first, even (perhaps especially) if it's the one thing you've been avoiding. If you're stuck because you don't understand something, go back to basics and build up from there - or ask for help.
5. Now put the other tasks in priority order and make a plan to tackle them.
Fit what you have to do into the time you have to do it in. We could always do a better job with more time, but you're not expected to achieve perfection. Don't forget that deadlines and word counts are there to set the scope of your work - you're not expected to do more.
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