- Set your goals and priorities for the semester and then develop a plan for achieving each goal. Some of your goals
may be related to your education; others may concern such areas as personal growth, physical fitness, relationships, etc:
a) Example goal: To give Nursing academics top priority this semester
b) Example Plan:
- Attend classes
- Turn in homework
- Study 4 hours daily
- Gain control of your study environment
a) Find a place to study free of distractions; make this area only for study time
b) Arrange to study regularly; allot some time each day for study
- Learn to manage your time effectively
a) Make a time schedule and stick to it
b) Make a daily list of things to do and assign each item a priority rating; assign each "A" priority a time
slot
- A priority is assigned to tasks that have high value to you. These are tasks that you want to do because they will
help you meet your goals. Also included in this category are tasks that have immediate deadlines.
- "B" priority is assigned to tasks that have medium value.
- "C" priority is assigned to tasks that have low value, these tasks can be put off or left undone entirely.
c) Recognize that priorities can change. What was a "C" task last week may become "A" or "B" task because the
deadline is approaching.
d) Ask yourself two questions:
- Is what I'm doing now helping me achieve my goals?
- What will happen if I don't do this?
- Encourage yourself to study through rational thinking
a) Recognize yur irrational ideas about studying and replace them with more helpful ideas. For example, "There's
not time for both study and fun" can be changed to "There's plenty of time for both study and fun when I use my time effectively.
b) Eliminate thinking that results in procrastination. For example, statements like "I have plenty of time to do
my project" often results in putting the project off until the last minute.
c) Develop a positive attitude toward schoolwork
- View school work as helping you achieve your long term goals.
- Look for points of interest and practical application in each subject.
- Knowing your Nursing instructors will help you become positive about the course and it will make it easier to seek help
for them if you need it.
