Task Strategies!

Divide By Four

How do you use it?

This can be used on projects, exam preparation, long readings and more. You split an assignment into four parts and try to accomplish each task one at a time. First you prepare for the assignment. Second you begin the assignment at a different time. Third you will continue the assignment at a later date. Finally you finish the project. If you spread these steps out over time it makes it harder to procrastinate!

How did I use it?

I took my two most important assignments and planned them in parts. I took my Phi 107 five page paper and the remaining work I have in REL 120. The first step I chose for writing my paper was choosing a chapter to write about and underlining important parts of the chapter. The second step was writing pages one to three. The third was writing pages four and five. The last step includes proof reading and revising the paper. For religion my first step was to finish reading a novel. The point of the novel was to compare it to two chapters that we have read in Nye, so my second step was to reread these chapters. The third step I took was analyzing and comparing Nye to the novel. The last step includes the study guide that my professor gave me of certain points between the two readings, therefore I will study these points in preparation for the final.

Since I am a visual learner, I always choose to make lists and charts of things I need to do, therefore I made a list for each of the assignments that I based Divide By Four on.

A Day at a Time!

How do you use it?

Write a list of up to five sources or stress. Try to focus on each stress causer. Cross out each source once it no longer causing stress. Leave each unsolved source on the list for the next day or days, until it is all solved.

How did I use it?

I chose my top five sources which include Finals for CFS 388, MAT 222 and REL 120, Phi 107 paper, GPA, Getting a job and parents. I wrote these down at the beginning of the week in a list, then by the end of the week I had substantially limited my list. I solved my stress for finals by using the twenty minute test prep for each of the three classes. I began my Philosophy paper, even though I had a few weeks to write it, it just gave me less to worry about. I will always be stressed about my GPA no matter what I do, so as of now, I still have that on my list. I sent out plenty of job applications and have heard back from a few, therefore that lowered my stress in that area. I also called my parents and talked to them about how busy my week was ahead of time so I wouldn’t get any further stress from them and it is always a good way to vent about the week ahead. As of now I still have stress in the area of GPA, but the rest of the stress has been reduced from my life.

Since I am a visual learner, it helps to see the charts and lists drawn out. It is also easy to concentrate on things when a chart shows which is considered he most stressful. This makes it easiest to pick which cause of stress to work on first.

Sick of staying up late?...Then don’t procrastinate!

I have always been a procrastinator. I certainly am not a chronic procrastinator, but I do tend to put things off until the last minute. My level of procrastination depends on the assignment and how busy I am that week. I tend to have this cycle that I always repeat. This cycle includes waiting until the last minute, which is usually about 2 a.m. then I begin my homework which leaves me tired the next day, so I take a nap before I begin my work and I click the snooze bar many times and end up starting my work at 2 a.m. the next day also! I procrastinate in every class. I always feel that I cannot complete my assignemtns when I am tired and I sometimes try but end up falling asleep while doing them. I do procrastinate on everything but I always finish my work, therefore I spend some pretty late nights.

Since we have already discussed chunking the task and 10-minute technique, I decided to try a new technique.

I chose to use the Rewards method.

How do you use it?

Choose homework assignments that need to be completed then make a reward for when they are completed. This motivates people considering the reward is desired, It makes the goal seem more achievable, especially when it is split into steps with separate rewards. The reward must be something that you only allow yourself to have if you complete the task, otherwise the method is not working.

How did I use it?

I went to the library three nights in a row to complete two assignments. I used this to write my Phi 107 paper and to write my Human Sexuality (CFS 388) paper which were both due on Thursday. I made a chart and separated my chart into days and the assignments into small chunks and once each was completed I listed a reward that I would do before going back to the next portions of my assignments. I color coordinated the chart to show which class is which. I made charts because I am a visual learner and prefer to see things in this way.

How did I choose my rewards?

I use coffee to keep me focused and I love coffee, therefore it was a legitimate reward choice that I placed early in my evening so it would be desired as well as helpful for the rest of the evening. I go to the library with friends so I try not to get distracted by them, so I set aside some reward time for my friends, as well as the infamous distraction-Facebook! I also enjoy listening to my ipod, so my motivation to complete the entire assignment is to walk home listening to it.

Motivation!

Motivation!

What motivates you? What makes you put in the effort to achieve things?

I have never really had much trouble trying to motivate myself to do school work. I am quite lazy and sometimes would prefer to sit on my bed and watch television, but I am sure that this could be said for many people. I may not spend an excessive amount of time on assignments, but I will never skip assignments intentionally or simply not prepare for an exam. I consider myself to be a highly motivated student. I am process-driven in the aspects of organization and study preparation, optimistic, and persistent. I am not too much of a risk taker and I do put in a valid effort to the standards of my ability.

What is an external motivator? It is something other than yourself that motives you.

What is an internal motivator? A motivation that gives you a sense of accomplishment. It would be doing a task for your own personal gain.

What can cause motivation? A consequence or a reward is a good reason to have motivation. If something is very undesirable, most people would give their best effort to be sure it does not happen. For example, I would fail my math class if I don’t get an A on the next exam, the consequence would be my motivation. A reward would be when I was young I got 5 dollars per A on my report card. The reward would be 5 dollars. If someone desires a result, they will usually make sure that it is reached. Simple things can cause such motivation, which causes some to try much harder in school and life.

When I was younger I got good grades because my parents wanted me to and I would get restricted from fun activities if my grades were poor, so I have always found them to be important. I am personally motivated to attend college because I am hoping to pursue a goal for knowledge. I have not chosen a major yet, but I desire to gain as much knowledge as I can about my area of study and help others with the knowledge that I have. I am motivated for internal as well as external reasons. My motivation is simply reward, which could be determined in the future as a goal. I plan to work in either the social sciences, psychology or business. I hope to be able to help others with my work so my motivation is the people’s lives that I can affect and help.

I am motivated for different reasons in each of my classes. Some classes my motivation is to attain a high average, fulfill requirements, personal happiness and to pass a required class. In CLS 105 I am trying to use this class to teach me the skills to raise the grades in my other classes, as well as to get a good grade in the class in order to raise my GPA. I would like a high GPA to be able to get into any major that I desire without difficulty. For CFS 388, I am interested in this area of study so my motivation is to see if this class is something I would be interested in pursuing, which is an internal motivation. MAT 222 is my hardest class and I am doing terribly. I need to pass this class with a decent grade so that I won’t haveto retake it, in hopes of keeping my GPA from being pulled down. I strongly dislike PHI 107, so I will use this to keep my grades up for my GPA and fulfill a requirement. REL 120 is interested but is also motivated by keeping my GPA up at this point. Ski Team is one of my PED classes which I enjoy and I only use it for personal satisfaction. I don’t necessarily desire to be the best skier on the team, but I do enjoy the sport. I am motivated to get a good grade by simply having fun! I am very motivated in my schoolwork and can find many reasons to be motivated for any task.

D's Due and Do

D's Due and Do

I am blogging about the topic “D’s Due and Do.” I have used this in all of my classes as well as to remind myself what I need to do daily even when it isn’t regarding my classes. I used this strategy in CLS, MAT 222, REL 120, CFS 388 and PHI 107. I already used this method to some extent before this class, but now I just added the words “due” and “do,” but it was already very similar. I found that by adding these words it became easier to understand my schedule and what I should plan on doing when. I prefer not to split my schedule with a line, I simply prefer to write them out plainly on the date, because I will read them all anyways and I find it easier to read. I also put all of the major due dates into my monthly calendar at the beginning of my schedule in to be sure that I do not miss any assignments.

Above there is a picture of my weekly schedule.

This strategy has not failed me yet. I find it very useful and I honestly intend to continue using it throughout my college experience. I have always been very organized and used my schedule already, so this small step should not be a hassle and should be more helpful than the method I was using before. I chose this strategy because I basically already used it, I just made a couple little tweaks to the way I wrote things down.

It is very important to be organized; “D’s due and do” is a very easy method and takes only a few minutes to set up. It can save me from forgetting little things I may previously have forgotten. This is my favorite method so far, I know it isn’t a method for actually doing the work, but if I don’t know I need to do an assignment, those other methods will never come into effect. I would recommend that everyone give this method a try! I am sure it will continue to be useful from that point on.

Below there is pictures of my monthly schedules.