On the other hand, a student who is given an assignment to be
completed by the end of a semester might not have those immediate, externally
imposed consequences. Being an electrical engineering student at day and a
blogger at night, I usually procrastinate over term projects like thesis.
Reconstructing my time table, maximizing
my time & a self management approach might be the most efficient way.
Breaking down the Task
If your professor announces that a 30-page term paper to be
submitted in one month, you most likely to barely avert an anxiety attack. You
might even shake your head in self-pity and distress. Some might ask
themselves, “How can I possibly write a thirty-page term paper with the
plethora of other tasks I have?
Anxiety attacks at its severest a day or two before the paper is
due. You might consider foregoing sleep for fort-eight hours for you to piece
something together. The first step you have to do is to break the task down
into smaller parts. This is the most fundamental step in tackling a problem.
See Problem
Solving Techniques. For
example, in writing a term paper there involves
- Selecting your topic
- Researching or finding related materials
- Taking Notes
- Making a Draft
- Revision or proof reading
These sub-units can still be divided into smaller segments of
work. If you keep subdividing these segments you’ll reach an amount that does
not intimidate you. You’ll find this approach more pleasant than constantly
reflecting on the totality of the project.
Forming a Schedule
Now that you’ve done breaking down the task, it’s time for you to
form your schedule. During my second year in college where my first thesis was
made, I struggled in forming a schedule for it. I was the group leader back then
and I experienced having difficulties because some of my group members failed
to do their task on the time I gave them. My mistake during that time is that I didn't formulate a tentative schedule for the sub units I have. Luckily I
managed to pull the string and able to submit our thesis right just before the
deadline.
Make a schedule that will require early completion of the first
sub-unit and specify a final completion date before the dead-line of
submission. Manage one task first and the remaining task will be as manageable.
Boost Your Productivity
Being productive is a necessity in order to accomplish something
within a given time frame. You need to be productive each day when tackling
major projects like term paper. You should also be productive when
working on each sub-unit I’ve mentioned earlier. The impetus for attacking subsequent
parts of a project is partially a function of completing earlier parts.
Completing that first bit of work is especially reinforcing. It makes your next
task appear considerably less foreboding. Have you notice that every time you
write something, it is hard to formulate your first sentence but after doing it
so, you’ll find yourself full of ideas and write as if there’s no
tomorrow?(sorry for my exaggeration.XD).
One way to boost your productivity is to maximize your time. See 9
Tips on How to Maximize Your Time: Increasing Productivity. Knowing how
to maximize your time would be the most efficient way in completing those
sub-sequent parts.
*Final Words*
If you presently accomplish your work with impeccable efficiency,
kudos! You’ve done very well. However, if you consider yourself as one of those
last-minute students, here’s my suggestion:
Stock up on your supply of coffee, cigarettes, snacks etc. for the
last minute rush. :D
2 comments:
U have to know the capabilities of ur team members too, some just need longer time than others.
Yah, you're right. And that's also my mistake as a leader before.
Post a Comment