Managing Time... Options

[nicki_flute]

I know at this point at the mention of work, forum members on en masse will poke their pointy sticks at me in a jedi style, but I need some help.

Basically, at the moment I have so much going on, and being me, I'm getting stressed.

At the moment, my main concern is my oncoming Cambridge interview and the preparation for that. I have to go over the background work to the essays I sent (AS work), go over books which I read for my personal statement, and think about why I want to go there etc. It's just going to be taking up so much time, and is quite important really. I know people will say, it's not the only university, and I'm capable enough etc etc but it's just stressing me out.

So, that is taking most of my time up, and it is my main priority at the moment. The problem with this is that I have 2 long term projects - History coursework (I still have 3 books to read and make notes on and decide whether I can write a coherent essay by December 19th), and Sociology coursework which I ahve to write and carry out which will take time. Then, large bits of homework. To make it worse, I have a huge Sociology test (which involves revising all my work I've done this year) and my Grade 8 in the same week, and then a Sociology module in January

How am I supposed to prioritise with so much going on? I just end up feeling yucky because I get make myself stressed, and just panic...so, can anyone suggest any ideas. Sorry for my moan, I feel silly (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[mrbouffant]

Do some sport at least three times a week.. cardiovascular is best, get those endorphins flowing, that will reduce the stress on a biological/chemical level.

The next thing is stop thinking about stuff. I bet you're churning it all over in your head constantly which just magnifies the reality. It's not going to be anywhere near as "bad" as you think it is. Focus on end dates as a positive thing ("by such a date, I won't have to think about the Cambridge stuff any more") because it means there's one less thing to worry about when you reach that point.

Then divvy up your day into segments where you know, say, every day between X and Y o'clock you will deal with the history, and then between Y and Z o'clock you will play the flute etc. Follow a session heavy of books/texts/research with something which is more practical and applied, e.g. History followed by Flute, Sociology followed by Sport, Cambridge stuff followed by ice cream and daytime TV.

This is very sound advice and I wish I could say I had adopted it myself. My normal tactic is to avoid everything and go to the pub (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Good luck! Uni will be a breeze in comparison to this phase of your life (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[nicki_flute]

Do some sport at least three times a week.. cardiovascular is best, get those endorphins flowing, that will reduce the stress on a biological/chemical level.

The next thing is stop thinking about stuff. I bet you're churning it all over in your head constantly which just magnifies the reality. It's not going to be anywhere near as "bad" as you think it is.

Then divvy up your day into segments where you know, say, every day between X and Y o'clock you will deal with the history, and then between Y and Z o'clock you will play the flute etc. Follow a session heavy of books/texts/research with something which is more practical and applied, e.g. History followed by Flute, Sociology followed by Sport, Cambridge stuff followed by ice cream and daytime TV.

This is very sound advice and I wish I could say I had adopted it myself. My normal tactic is to avoid everything and go to the pub (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Good luck! Uni is a breeze in comparison to this phase of your life (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I do netball at least once a week.

Yes, it probably isn't bad at all, it just feels bad.

Ice cream, yummmm...

I think I'd be ok if I had just one thing to focus on. I want to spend more on History coursework but can't due to homework or whatever.

[mrbouffant]

I think I'd be ok if I had just one thing to focus on. I want to spend more on History coursework but can't due to homework or whatever.

Life ain't like that, sadly. The lovely world of work is a litany of different stuff flying in from all directions, and one has to prioritise and negotiate to work successfully, otherwise - yes - you got potty, that's without any other demands on your time being worked in e.g. partner, kids, outside interests...

Another approach I could have mentioned is an extension of the avoidance technique. You ignore everything and indulge yourself in things you enjoy and that relax you until the pressure (normally from other people) for you to deal with issue X is so intense that you have to deal with it. It's a self-prioritising system. A high risk strategy, but some people like it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[nicki_flute]

If I did the 2nd strategy I think I'd explode...

[mrbouffant]

If I did the 2nd strategy I think I'd explode...

Why? You spend most of the time relaxed and doing other stuff which you enjoy!

[nicki_flute]

But I couldn't do that...I'd just worry!

[Oddball]

Not after a couple of pints..

[mrbouffant]

Not after a couple of pints..

Especially of Creme de Menthe (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[nicki_flute]

And how often do I drink a couple of pints? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[sbhoa]

I hope you manage to find a working solution.

Sorry, no advice as when I feel like I've got too much to do I tend to go with MrB's option 2, otherwise known as 'ignore it and it might go away'.

[Rosemary7391]

I think I'd be ok if I had just one thing to focus on. I want to spend more on History coursework but can't due to homework or whatever.

Life ain't like that, sadly. The lovely world of work is a litany of different stuff flying in from all directions, and one has to prioritise and negotiate to work successfully, otherwise - yes - you got potty, that's without any other demands on your time being worked in e.g. partner, kids, outside interests...

Another approach I could have mentioned is an extension of the avoidance technique. You ignore everything and indulge yourself in things you enjoy and that relax you until the pressure (normally from other people) for you to deal with issue X is so intense that you have to deal with it. It's a self-prioritising system. A high risk strategy, but some people like it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I'm afraid I'm guilty of that one... However, when I'm not ignoring it, I make a list of all the things I have to do, in the order they have to be in. Then, I look at each one and say, 'how much will it affect me if I don't do X'. If X is very important, it stays where it is, if X is a minor piece of homework for a subject I'm doing well in I will put it to the bottom of the list. Then, I start at the top and work my way down, and when I really can't concentrate anymore I'll either move on to a different piece of work or take 10 minutes out to do something else altogether. Mindless computer games work well, I find.

[nicki_flute]

I do have a mental list and one on paper, it's just always the same, I always have lots of ongoing stuff which clashes with current items.

[cellocase]

Oh - I sympathise. Taking 7 subjects in year 12 plus trying to combine two instruments to a fairly high level means that I have to be incredibly organised, which doesn't always work! I am fairly careful to do all my homework on the night it's set if at all possible, and have set times for piano practise and vaguely set times for cello. MrB is right that you need to try and juxtapose different things so that you don't overload your brain. Keep focusing on the fact that it's not going to last forever!

[nicki_flute]

Well the thing is, that there is no way I can do my History/Sociology coursework or Cambridge prep in one night, it really can only be done over a long period of time which is the problem (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I've worked out I'll be busy til Jan really!