Plan for Focus This Semester

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 186351

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

In the fall "end of semester" survey, roughly 1/3 of students who fell behind by more than one week attributed this to lack of schedule and distractions. Almost HALF of you said that significant activities or obligations, e.g., a work schedule, caused you to fall behind.

Take time now to be PROACTIVE. Think about what you CAN control -- and PLAN around your needs. This is so important that you'll see a related question on this week's quiz.

Work at a TIME when you know you'll be most efficient. Think about when you need the greatest amount of energy to focus. Are you a morning person? Are you a night person? Having four children myself, I know that my efficiency drops precipitously once my kids are home from school, so I often plan to do my easier tasks at that time. Since my kids can't interrupt me when they're not awake (most of the time, anyway!), I often work early mornings or late at night. In a similar way, previous students have told me that they work late at night when noisy siblings are asleep, and others work best by chunking their time with a "block schedule" for their classes, i.e., working on three classes every other day. What TIMES will work best for you? Create a weekly schedule for yourself like this example by making a copy of this template. (You'll submit it on this week's quiz).

Choose a PLACE that allows you to be positive and focus. That probably isn't your super-comfy couch. You probably don't want a high-traffic area where people can walk through your space.

Plan for DISTRACTIONS: Use an extension or app to block specific time-wasting websites. Use a "focus" app like Forest on your phone or browse. If you know that a certain friend's texts will derail you, or if you know that a trip to the kitchen for a snack will cause you to stop by the TV, then turn off your phone when you work or get a snack before you start. If noise is an issue, consider using noise-canceling headphones as part of your required school supplies.

Struggling with ANXIETY or PERFECTIONISM? I've seen students cope by using affirmations or mantras. Sometimes scheduling a five-minute mindfulness break or meditation can help you be more productive. As a recovering perfectionist myself, I've found that creating deadlines in my schedule helps me avoid obsessing about details.

WHATEVER your individual needs are, take time TODAY to make a plan for yourself. This week's quiz will include a question about your plan-- so be sure you have a detailed answer and a schedule to upload.