LISA CUMBIE
Living Editor
As you walk into the library, you see a handful of antsy students hovering around the printer at Main Circulation as the library staff tries to figure out whose document jammed up the industrial-sized machine. Eight minutes and counting until the next round of classes start and all of these students are undoubtedly going to be late to class, holding freshly printed pages in their hands.
It’s an unfortunate experience that students are all too familiar with. If you hadn’t pressed the snooze button for the third time while trying to wake up; if you had only been on the shuttle that you only caught a glimpse of as you walked briskly across Rho parking lot; if you hadn’t stopped and talked with your freshman roommate who just came back from a summer overseas. The list goes on and on. But what it really boils down to is, what if you just hadn’t procrastinated? Here’s a briefing on what you can do to help cut back on those late nights and broken copiers.
Step one: Go to class
It may seem like an obvious solution to any academic problem, but it’s very crucial to attend class. If you’re in class, you’ll be informed of what’s happening in class, and you won’t have as much to do while you aren’t there. Not all professors list everything that you need to do by the next class meeting time, but a lot of them will mention it at some point in the day. Not to mention, if there are any amendments to the syllabus, you’ll be aware of those as well. Wouldn’t you hate to show up to class on a day that your professor told you to use as an ‘extended study period’?
Step two: Get a planner
It may be a new adjustment carrying an extra book-sized object in your bag at all times, but it shouldn’t weigh you down too much, and it will lighten the load on your shoulders. Carrying a planner with you at all times is a great way to keep track of your assignments. Write them down everyday when you go to class and then you can cross them off as you complete each task. You’ll feel a small sense of accomplishment and empowerment as you strike through what you’ve already done. You could even put your social engagements in it to prohibit double-booking.
Step three: Befriend a study buddy
Odds are, by now you’ve befriended somebody in the class that you sit next to, talk to during breaks and joke with when your professor says something completely off the wall. So why not take your friendship to the next level? No, not that — a study buddy. Make a mutual pact to stick by each other’s side throughout the semester. If one of you has to miss class, you can rely on the other to take notes and update you on any class announcements. And when finals come around, you’ll have someone to keep you company while you both review your notes from the semester. Hopefully they’ll even hold you accountable to start studying prior to 3 a.m., the day of the exam.
Step four: Prioritize your life
There is a small percentage of the student body that actually enjoys doing homework, but let this serve as reminder that this is why you’re here — to get an education. And though homework isn’t always the most entertaining option for your evening plans, you need to make sure to put your schoolwork ahead of social engagements. Instead of busy work, we now face the daunting task of simply studying. This is easy to put off, because it’s never technically due, and doesn’t a night in Los Angeles sound more fun anyway? If you’re not sure if you’re making the right decisions, ask yourself these questions: Do you have an exam or project coming up? Will there be another invite like this one in the near future? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these questions, you might want to slip into your lounge clothes and take off those uncomfortable shoes.
Step five: Make it a new habit
Now that you’ve acquired all of these wonderful skills to help you stay ahead of the game, don’t forget to use them. It doesn’t take more than a month to form a habit. No problem. Stay on track through midterms and you’ll be golden for finals and ready to grab the spring semester by the horns.
09-13-2007