Do you feel behind as a working student?
Or maybe you’ve been slacking off and it’s finally catching up to you. No matter your reasons for clicking on this post, I’ve got some quick tips for you to become infinitely more productive in a week.
These tips have allowed me to catch up after being weeks behind in my college classes. I’ve also included relevant links under each section where you can find more in-depth tips to help you be successful.
Let’s jump in!
Step 1: Prep your Week.
If you’re trying to get ahead, you need to plan ahead. What better way is there to do that than to plan your week in advance?
Here are some things to keep in mind when doing this:
- What events are coming up this week?
- What college or work deadlines do you need to keep in mind for the week?
- Are there any habits you want to track or reflections from last week you want to note?
Here’s how I prepped my week in my bullet journal that helped me get caught up in my classes. Check out the post to copy my format.
Step 2: Make a To Do List.
After planning the overview of your week, it’s time to get into the details for what you need to do each day in order to be successful.
This should include the big class assignments, work, or life projects, as well as a breakdown of how to complete them.
Check out this in-depth post about how you can make an effective to-do list that helps you catch up fast with less stress.
Step 3: Get up Early.
Now that you have a list of things that you need to do, you need to find time to complete them. If you have a full-time job like I do, you may have to be creative to make that time in your schedule.
No matter how much I tried to workaround it, getting up earlier has been the only way to successfully find time to complete my tasks.
In the past, I tried studying after work, or even staying up late. Both of these failed because
- I will forsake my homework to spend time with my husband
- I often don’t have enough energy left after the work day to care about studying.
If you struggled like me, waking up earlier will skyrocket your productivity as a working student.
Getting up 1-2 hours earlier has been enough to wipe out a bunch of items on my to-do list.
Not a Morning person? Check out how I was able to force myself to wake up early and be consistent here.
Step 4: Stick to the Plan.
If you can’t complete something on your task list, then address it. Don’t bury your head in the sand like I did.
It’s okay if you can’t get to everything that you planned on your to-do list. Just make sure you reschedule tasks if needed.
Doing what you can to stick to the Plan is the best way to catch up with your classes. Plus, it builds self-confidence because you’re keeping commitments to yourself.
Conclusion
If you feel scattered, the 4 quick steps outlined in this guide will help you get back on track as you balance work, school, and life.
Remember that addressing your tasks now will bring you freedom and peace later. It can feel difficult to get started at first, but it will get easier the more you do it.
Make sure to share this post with a struggling friend. Also join the email list below for more suggestions to help you balance work and school.