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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

  • I have learned what a schedule should be and what to do when balancing work and school.  This semester I set up my schedule to be as productive as possible.  However, productive does not necessarily mean busier.  Last semester my schedule ran for about 13 hours a day most days.  I shot myself in the foot, and most often I felt too drained after work and school to get homework or studying done.  Now I undertand what I should expect of myself and how to create an effective schedule.  On top of that, there will be a balance between work and school the rest of my college career.  I have learned that the best way to handle homework and assignments is to get them done between classes or during spare time at work.  This prevents me from having to deal with the lack of motivation or energy when I get home and avoid the numerous distractions that are much more appealing after the day..

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