Author: Goosie Goose

I find that I struggle a lot with time management and making sure I get everything done without stressing myself out, but still giving myself time to relax. One of my classes in particular this semester has a very intense workload, even though it is a gen ed course. Every week I need to read a chapter from the textbook, do an assignment in which I need to answer roughly 60 questions as well as do a quiz and a discussion post. I do enjoy the class and I don’t mind the homework; I like to learn about aspects of business, but the amount that needs to be done overwhelms me on top of my other coursework. This class also has 2 group projects that need to be done, and my groupmate is not very helpful when I am trying to get things done. I have already completed one of the projects which was to create a business pitch and record a presentation. For the other project we need to put together a presentation to teach a topic from the chapter that was assigned to us. It stresses me out more when I not only have to get myself to do the work as well as trying to get someone else to do their part of the work.

It is also difficult to make time to get work done for my job when I am constantly thinking about how I should be doing this assignment, or working on this paper, or whatever it happens to be. I have a flexible job in that I can choose when to get the work done, but I do still have a deadline each week for when it needs to be completed. Part of what I need to do with that is reaching out to other employees to get them to confirm parts of the information that I can only get from them. I tend to overthink when I have things I need to get done, and that leads to me procrastinating, which then stresses me out as all I can think about is ‘just go do the thing. Just sit down and go do it. I have been learning how to manage myself better, but it is definitely a work-in-progress.

I have several goals for myself this semester. I learned throughout last semester that I have a bad habit of pushing things off until the last minute. I was able to still get good grades in my classes, but it ended up being quite stressful for me. When I get stressed about homework, I tend to procrastinate more which then leads to more stress as all the things I need to get done pile up higher and higher. I have been working on getting all my homework done in between my classes, so that I don’t have to worry about approaching deadlines, and I am also able to keep my weekends free to relax and unwind. I don’t always succeed at getting all my homework done during the week, which then usually leads into me continually thinking about how I really should get it done the entire weekend until finally Sunday, the day things are due, arrives and I get whatever is left done. When I am thinking constantly about how I should be doing something that I know needs to get done, I just end up not being able to relax my mind.

Along with managing my school schedule, I am also trying to start and maintain a work schedule and allow myself to spend time enjoying my hobbies. I have two jobs, but I have been putting them off because of all the homework I keep delaying. One of which is for my family’s business in which I help with data gathering and analysis to improve operations. My other job is working retail at the clothing store Loft in the Green Bay mall. I also spend 2-3 hours a week developing my ballroom dance skills with my partner. Ballroom dance is very expensive when you are trying to compete, which makes consistent paid work even more important. I find it important to make sure I am spending time with my friends outside of school, as well as making money so that I can afford to do what I enjoy. Procrastinating on things that need to get done just adds more stress to my life, so I am learning how to stay on top of my work.