Time management...

The following essay was part of a quiz. The unit was on learning strategies and we reviewed videos from Dartmouth College - the time management tips came from Cornell. I was asked to identify 4 things from the videos that I would implement in my quest to be successful - and why. This is not beautifully written, but - it wasn't supposed to be and I think it answers the questions. I need to learn to be more concise for the purpose of completing the course by SATURDAY!!! This course became available to me online on the 17th and must be completed by the 24th - no pressure the week before Christmas, right?  There are 13 units and I am not sure how many essays. If you know me, you know I am all about lengthy explanations. Right now I want to tell you all about the 5 videos. But I won't. :-)


The videos really helped me to see the things that have held me back, not only in my former job, but in my day to day activities. I have never been a good note taker, and because of it I often declined taking on that task in management meetings. Learning to take notes while keeping the main idea in mind is helpful. I never knew about reviewing and then reducing notes and can see that it is something that will help me immensely. I plan to practice that as soon as I am in a note taking situation.

Time management is an issue for me. I have been amazed during the past seven months of being unemployed how little time I seem to have. I can barely fathom how I got things done when I was working forty hours per week. The daily grid of penciling in classes, appointments, study time and personal time hour by hour is something I will implement.

I am a good reader but do have a tendency to lose interest and start skimming, which makes retaining what I've read often extremely difficult. Because of that habit I find that it takes me much longer to read a book than it used to. Dividing the page into three parts and tapping as I read is something I would like to try.

I believe I was always aware that recitation is a good way to commit things to long term memory but I have not made time to do it. I do struggle cognitively with both long and short term memory, which is exacerbated by a chronic pain condition. Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule has been prescribed and I have not done it. Especially since losing my job, I have allowed myself to stay up late and sleep in. As a result I am always fatigued and my pain has increased. For me to be successful in a job or in school I must change my ways. These are all things I will be working on.