| I have always said that a college student without an | | | | edge of each monthly page, and label it to quickly |
| academic planner is like a one-armed wallpaper | | | | locate a particular month. Be sure to record academic |
| hanger. How can you possibly get the job done? | | | | as well as personal responsibilities in your planner. If |
| Every semester, without fail, I have a handful of | | | | you keep two separate calendars, you are likely to |
| students who contend that assignment pads that | | | | double-book yourself. Make it a habit to check the |
| worked just fine in high school will suffice in college. | | | | planner several times a day. |
| They fail to realize that the quantity and variety of | | | | 3. On the first day of class, record the names, phone |
| assignments (i.e., papers, group projects, | | | | numbers and e-mail addresses of at least two |
| presentations, etc.) will require a planner that allows | | | | students in each of your classes. This is will be |
| for a lot more organization than an assignment pad | | | | essential in case of absence or when you need |
| can provide. | | | | clarification on an assignment. |
| Can you identify with the following scenario? You | | | | 4. Write down your assignment before you leave the |
| walk into class on Monday only to find out that there | | | | classroom. You would not remember it accurately |
| is a paper due that totally slipped your mind. I think | | | | once you walk out. Also, do not leave the class if |
| each of us at one time or another has experienced | | | | you are confused about any aspect of the |
| this fiasco, accompanied by that sinking feeling that | | | | assignment. Clarify with the instructor on your way |
| results from the realization that we really screwed up. | | | | out. |
| Organization skills are vital to college success; they | | | | 5. When you get your syllabi, immediately enter all |
| can easily make the difference between success and | | | | long-term due dates on the monthly calendars. |
| failure. As compared to high school, there are far | | | | Color-code your entries, using a different color for |
| fewer grades in college. Tests cover considerably | | | | each course. |
| more material and occur less often. As a result, each | | | | 6. Work backwards. Break each long-term task (that |
| grade during a college semester carries more weight | | | | includes tests, as well as projects) into smaller |
| than any grade in high school. You simply can not | | | | components, so you can see exactly how much |
| afford to get a "0" on a college assignment when | | | | work is involved. Now, planning backwards from the |
| there may be only three components that contribute | | | | due date, enter each component on dates of the |
| to your final grade. Do you really want to get an "F" | | | | weekly calendars. This is will determine when you |
| because you forgot a due date or failed to finish | | | | have to start. Be sure to allot more time than you |
| your project? | | | | think you will need to take unforeseen situations and |
| I can not tell you how many bright, capable students | | | | illness into account. Another helpful technique is to |
| I have taught over the years who either failed or | | | | imagine your task is due two days before its actual |
| received mediocre final grades as a result of | | | | date. Completing a task in advance precludes frenetic |
| forgetfulness or disorganization. That is why you | | | | rushing at the last minute and gives you a sense of |
| should learn to use a day planner ASAP, while still in | | | | calm and accomplishment. |
| high school. When you begin college, your planner | | | | 7. Enter absences/lateness in your planner. Some |
| habits will be well-entrenched, and you will have an | | | | instructors have attendance policies, so it is important |
| edge over those students who have yet to learn | | | | to keep track of days you missed or were late to |
| effective planning. | | | | class. By the way, skipping class should be reserved |
| Tips for Using a Planner | | | | only for emergencies or days that you are really |
| 1. Choose the right planner. Make sure the planner | | | | sick-meaning confined to bed. |
| says "ACADEMIC" and has "M/W" on the front. | | | | 8. Do not tear out old pages of the planner. There |
| "Academic" planners run from August to August, so | | | | will likely be occasions when you will need to refer |
| they cover the entire school year, whereas "yearly" | | | | back. |
| planners run January to January. The "M/W" refers to | | | | Things to Include in Your Planner |
| monthly and weekly. It is essential that you have | | | | It is important to block off anything that consumes |
| two views. The monthly view is your "big picture", | | | | your time, in order to avoid conflict and crisis. Do not |
| and that is where exams, long-term projects, and | | | | forget: |
| presentations should be recorded. Looking at the | | | | Regular blocks of homework time |
| monthly view allows you to see what lies ahead and | | | | Assignment due dates |
| allows you to plan your time accordingly. The weekly | | | | Test dates |
| view, or "small picture", is where you record day to | | | | Social commitments |
| day assignments. Your planner needs to have enough | | | | Vacations |
| space to record all the details of assignments, so | | | | Medical appointments |
| ideally it should be 8" x 11", but definitely no smaller | | | | Academic appointments (i.e. tutoring, seeing your |
| than 5" x 7". If you go to an office supply store, | | | | instructor, study groups, group projects, etc) |
| head toward the back where they keep the | | | | Registration dates-choose classes as soon as |
| "generic" planners. The front of the store is stocked | | | | registration opens to have the most choices |
| with name brand planners that run as high as $35. | | | | Fees-due dates |
| The planner described here can be found for about | | | | Holidays |
| $14, but you need to shop early-perhaps in June or | | | | In short, the daily planner serves as the skeleton on |
| July. Academic planners sell out quickly because there | | | | which you attach your responsibilities. It is essential |
| are students taking summer classes. | | | | you have a logical system to ensure your work gets |
| 2. Make the planner part of your daily routine. Carry it | | | | done in a timely fashion, and you appear in the right |
| with you at all times. Put a "Post-It" arrow on the | | | | place at the right time. |