How to Manage your To-Do List
Between school, work, and other responsibilities, a to-do list can become long and overwhelming. However, it doesn’t have to be if you take these steps.
Step One: Write down everything you need to do for the week.
Assignments
Quizzes, Exams, etc.
Discussion Boards
Group Projects
Read/Study Time
Wash Dishes
Do Laundry
Clean the House
Go Buy Groceries
Exercise
Sleep
Family Responsibilities
Work Responsibilities
Step Two: Organize your tasks into categories.
School
Assignments
Quizzes, Exams, etc.
Discussion Boards
Group Projects
Read/Study Time
Around the Home
Wash Dishes
Do Laundry
Clean the House
Go Buy Groceries
Exercise
Work out each day
Sleep
Try to sleep around 8 hours each day
Family
Complete family responsibilities
Work
Complete work responsibilities
Step Three: Determine how long each of the tasks will take you to complete each week.
Step Four: Recognize due dates for tasks that have a set due date and set goals for tasks that do not have an official due date.
Step Five: Look at your calendar.
On Monday you might have work from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., class assignments to work on, a quiz to study for, and exercise to complete. You may have some open time throughout the day, so plan to fill those gaps with specific to-do list items.
Start the Day: 6:00 a.m.
Wake Up, Shower, and Get Ready
Eat Breakfast
Complete any Family Responsibilities
Complete any Around the Home Tasks
Work: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Complete Work Responsibilities
Eat Lunch
Family, Exercise and Around the Home: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Wash Dishes
Do Laundry
Clean the House
Go Buy Groceries
Complete any Family Responsibilities
Work out
School: 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Assignments
Quizzes, Exams, etc.
Discussion Boards
Group Projects
Read/Study Time
Sleep: 10:00 p.m.
By taking each of these steps you can maximize efficiency levels throughout your day by having a plan. You can also rest easy knowing that you will have time to get everything on your to-do list done. This process might take some time to get used to, but you can do this process daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly. It is important to find out what works best for you and get into a good routine. A to-do list will keep you on track and can help you meet personal goals!
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