COFFEE PLEASE: It's Time to Get Organized

Now that the semester is in full swing, I have to remind myself about staying organized. I am usually good at managing my time, but last week I had a lesson on how to maintain school, work, and social life.

Last fall I had a great semester. I was able to balance the extra school activities and the five classes I was taking. I thought I could just breeze back into those habits again this semester, but I was wrong. Each semester is different and requires a new amount of refocusing.

Some of the classes I am taking this semester are reading- intensive, and although I love reading, it takes up more time than I originally anticipated. I had focused too much on those classes and I let one class slip.

It’s easier to start strong than try to play catch-up.

I missed an assignment last week, which is something that rarely happens for me. I am usually a day or two ahead of the due date. My lapse in doing homework stemmed from a combination of taking full advantage of the snow day, and not actively listening in class at the end when the assignment was explained

One of the best pieces of advice I have received as a college student is to start the semester strong. It is easier to start strong than try to play catch up at the end of the semester.

Over the weekend I spent much of my time doing homework and double-checking that I had completed everything.

So this week I am challenging myself to take diligent notes and make sure that I am not mentally checking out before class ends.

I know it seems rather silly to set a goal like this for myself, but I have become overconfident in my abilities as a student. I need to take a step back and realize that I am not done and I still have a long way to go. It is too early in the semester to get lazy.

—Morgan Mackey