Planning and Staying on Track
UTA Writing Center
Planning and Staying on Track
How do I assess where I stand in a class?
- Take some time to calculate your grade, and project it based on current standings. This will make it easier to prioritize and budget time in the upcoming weeks.
- Talk to the professor about your concerns. Sometimes the professor can offer insight that will help you see problems more clearly.
- Consider the academic load itself. Talk to your academic advisor and weigh the pros and cons of reducing the number of classes. If you can afford to take fewer courses or drop, consider it. If you cannot, consider what needs to be done to prevent resorting to this.
- Be honest with yourself. Have you done all you can do? Do you have the background to succeed in this course?
What are some tips for getting back on track?
- It doesnot have to be perfect. Turning in something that is less than perfect is generally better than submitting nothing at all.
- Look for opportunities to add more time to your schedule. Is there a time of the day you could use more wisely? Are there distractions that you can either remove or leave until you catch up?
- Stay disciplined and consistent with sleep. While some find sacrificing sleep gives extra time, often this causes a writer to work less efficiently.
- Develop a plan and stick to it! Create weekly or monthly goals, and set reminders for yourself. Sometimes calendars can be helpful.
What should you considered when making a plan for catching up?
- Look at due dates and make adjustments. Which assignments will be due first? Which ones will take longer than usual to write?
- Find the ideal environment for you to study. Is there a place where it is easier to focus? Is there a place where resources will be easier to access?
- Are there non-academic responsibilities that can be reduced or relegated? If you have a job, you could consider reducing hours temporarily to focus on studies. If you have extracurricular activities or other obligations, consider if your support system can help you with these until you get back on track.
- Make a plan for remembering the goals established. Consider a calendar or todo list to carry throughout the day.
Do you want reminders and schedules on the go?
The following are mobile apps that can be used for calendar planning and reminders:
- Google Calendar– This one is also useful if you want to view your calendar both on computer and phone. This program gives reminders, and lets you view the calendar by days, weeks, or months.
- aCalendar – This one has similar features to Google Calendar. It has better widget customization than Google Calendar, but can be a little cluttered.