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You are here: Student Success Skills » Developing Discipline to Do Well » Setting Priorities

Student Success Skills

Setting Priorities

by jack
July 13, 2012

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..

← Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
Learning How to Communicate With Your Parents About Your Grades →

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Testimonials

  • The biggest improvement I have made this semester has got to be my study habits.  This semester I made it my goal to study more and work harder in school.  I have kept pretty well to my word up till now and I hope I can continue to do so.  Another improvement that I have made this semester that I'm not too proud to say is not going out during the week.  Along with studying, I also made this my goal.  My dad always told me work comes before play, it's such a simple quote, but it's the truth.  If I plan on doing well this semester, I am going to have to limit my "play" to the weekends and work hard during the week.  With both of my improvements being said, it's likely that my grades are going to improve greatly.  I need to have self-discipline in order to complete my goals until the semester is over.  Discipline is something I lack and I also hope to improve as I make good habits in regards to my studies..

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