There will be times in college when it seems impossible to get everything done. This is especially very true four weeks into the semester when there are a lot of tests.

There is a concept discovered by Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, called the 80/20 principle. The principle has wide spread application. In our context, the principle can be started like this: 20% of the things you need to do make up 80% of what’s really important.

What would be in the 20%? The types of activities that are in the 20% would be such things as:

• Studying for tests.
• Going to class.
• Doing homework in a learning center.

What would be the 80%? Some typical activities in this category would be:

• Spending extra time on an assignment that has minimal value.
• Studying in front of a TV set.
• Studying for a test where you are constantly interrupted.
• Spending time on an assignment that you don’t understand, which you could have sought help on.

Here are some strategies for setting priorities

• Focus your time on those activities that will make your work easier to do
  • Go to class
  • Use learning centers
  • Use websites to help supplement what you don’t understand
• Become efficient in doing the 20% activitiesBecome organized so you don’t waste time. See the topic: Staying Organized
  • Study with friends and teach each other
  • Study where you won’t be interrupted physically or electronically
• Become organized so you don’t waste time. See the Topic Staying Organized.
• Don’t mix the 20% activities with other activities. Focus entirely on the 20%. This will give you more time to enjoy the college experience once you have the 20% completed.

Perhaps the key to all of these suggestions is to develop a strategy for spending your time..