Using to-do lists

Getting everything done when you need to finish a bunch of stuff can seem crazy for some first generation or low income college students. It can even feel downright overwhelming as finals are fast approaching.

But one of the easiest ways you can juggle all that you need to juggle is to keep track of it all by using to-do lists. A good to-do list will help you figure out your priorities, keep track of what you've accomplished, and help you plan out your day.

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When making a to-to list, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

Be specific. Provide yourself with details, like instead of saying "Go to office hours" put down "Go to Psych 101 office hours to ask questions about midterm" on your to-do list. Do yourself a favor by laying it out.

Break down larger tasks in smaller steps. For the big tasks you have on your plate, always think of them as a bunch of little tasks. "Write 10-page research paper" is easier when you break it down to "Write 1-page intro," "Research sources at library," "Write 8-page body," "Write 1-page conclusion," and "Finish reference page." Things will be less scary if you take it one step at a time.

Prioritize tasks and set deadlines. Make sure you know what is most important, when it needs to be finished, and plan to get that done first. You can use numbers, ranks, pluses and minuses, smiley faces, or whatever to note what you need to accomplish first. This is definitely where paying attention to details will come in handy.

If you really want to write a killer to-do list, check out 43 Folders' Building a smarter to-do list. As you craft your to-do lists, have a productive day of academic achievement.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.