Wow….has it REALLY been three whole weeks since my first day
of college? It honestly feels like yesterday.
It always seems as if
the day is gone in 2 seconds: I wake up, go to class, and suddenly its
noon. I blink again and I'm sitting in
Gee eating dinner. And I still have SO
much work, and it just seems like I won't be able to fit everything in. I often feel this way (and being a double
major in music doesn't help AT ALL. haha)
Time management is an issue for me. I am not an extremely organized person, but
I'm not too laid back either. I often worry
that if I don't finish or read an assignment the night that it is
assigned ( it might not be due for a couple days to a week even) that it will
never get done. I know, it's an immature
way to think, but I realize that I need to work on it and try to get past
it. I am the type of person who stresses
out VERY easily. For some strange
reason, I feel as if " I'm not constantly worried or stressing about
something, even if it is the tiniest thing in the world, I'm not doing
anything." I know it doesn’t help
the situation , but it makes me feel better.
The biggest challenge for me isn't exactly TIME management (
even though I DO need to find a way to better manage my time), but how to spend the time I have put aside for all my practicing and studying
and other things in the best way I possibly can. I could practice for 4 hours straight ( I
would be dead tired…), but if I just play through my pieces for those hours, I
really haven't done much to further improve them. I also need to find a way to
keep focused, as I am easily distracted.
My advice to anyone who has this problem is map out your day
and find times where you can sit down and study for a bit. If you have thirty
minutes to an hour between classes, start a homework assignment or read a
chapter of a book you have to read. If you don’t have much time,do what you
can, but don’t try to cram a big paper
into twenty minutes. ( or if you are a
music major, go practice or study theory terms. If you have a lot of time, do the
practice mode on Macgamut or write all of the key signatures and scales.)
I haven't really found a tool or technique that REALLY works
for me yet. But what I have been doing recently is just forcing myself to
concentrate. I do my flash cards over and over and try not let my mind wander. I also try to practice and study at times when I know that I can get them done.
For example: in between my music classes, I go practice; before and after
dinner, I study and do homework. My mind still wanders, but the worry of
failing the class or test and flunking out of school makes me come back to
reality. I know that trying to fit all
the things I have to do in 24 hours is something that I’m struggling with and
will keep working on. In order to
survive college, (this first semester even) I need to find a better solution
FAST. If anyone has any suggestions,
feel free to tell me! :)
You have some good ideas, Shannon. Two pieces of advice: 1. When you get the opportunity to take a Phys Ed class, try taking Yoga. It can really help you learn how to calm your mind down. 2. Talk to Dr. Weeks/Ms. Turner about how to make the most out of your practice time.
ReplyDeleteMake sure to really proofread for its/it's, and, again, don't leave so much space between your paragraphs.
Hi Shannon! Just be sure to check a couple grammar issues such as "it's" and "its". My only advice for motivation to get things done is to just do it. For me, when I get an assignment I work on it that night, even if it's just a little. It helps me know I've at least started it, and I'm sure to keep working on it bit by bit each night. Distractions are pretty normal too, but sometimes you need to relax your mind. Instead of worrying about failing, focus on doing well. Stay positive!!
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