I am now in my eighth week of fifteen, semester one of six. Reading week is over, the first semester is now half over, and I am finding it something of a struggle to keep up with course readings. Reading ahead is the key to getting the most out of a lecture, and I am behind in half of my classes.
Yesterday, I tried reading in the library after class and found that I absorbed complex course material much more quickly than I do at home. I have come to the conclusion that I need a distraction free environment if I am to continue doing well in this program.
In the spirit of the old adage, "early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise", I plan to begin each weekday, regardless of when my first class starts, at 6:00 AM. If I'm ready to leave the house by 7:00 AM, I can be on campus before 8:00 AM when the library and SAL lab open for the day with at least ten minutes to spare. Most days, that will allow me two or three hours for reading before class. I'm also planning to stay on campus until 6:00 PM every evening except Fridays. On Thursdays, my first class starts at 12:00 noon, and I plan to spend at least three and half hours doing work with Tim at CJLX toward my community connection volunteer hours. Since Friday's classes end at 12 noon, I will ask Tim if I could work a few hours in the afternoon as well.
If I can commit to this routine, I should be able to maintain grades in the upper 80's to 90's. This will be a great time to develop better habits, because I know there are more challenging times ahead.
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