So much time has passed by since my last post. I apologize for my delay; it was a really hardcore writer’s block. Nevertheless, I am back! Happy New Year to everyone! May this year bring even more happiness, luck and prosperity J
I always seem to make New Year’s resolutions for myself but never really get around to fulfilling them. I really want to change that outlook in my life, as it affected my first semester in college. The past semester was as fast paced and intense as I anticipated, but it brought about my let downs in terms of my academic achievements and I really want to make it up this semester. There is an overwhelming amount of events going on at Rutgers, innumerous organizations on campus and a lot more work than high school. Put together, it was a mistake on my part by following bad time management. I think that’s my biggest resolution this year – time management and anti-procrastination. Unlike last semester where I just went with the flow and followed my gut feeling, I’m planning it all out before hand using as many tools as I can get.
StayFocused: This is for google chrome users, an extension that blocks those addictive websites you just can’t seem to get off of. Here, I’ve added facebook.com, tumblr.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, cracked.com and various other websites that I tend to procrastinate with and I’ve put my own time limit for using these blocked websites. Once my time is up, if I type in the URL and click go, the extension redirects me to another page which has a sign in bold saying “Shouldn’t you be working?”. Needless to say, I think I love it. Edit: There is an Add on for Mozilla Firefox as well, its called - LeechBlock, which does something similar. I use that as well since I have both browsers.
Google Calendar: This is the ultimate tool for creating a daily, weekly, monthly planner of all sorts. I’ve created more than one calendar for classes on different campuses, potential organization meetings that I want to attend and timed study sessions. It’s a great way to be organized and I’m going to do my best to stick with it.
Classical music: This is something interesting I’ve heard from quite a few people that classical music helps while studying. Its not a time management tool, but I wanted to put it here because I plan on trying this theory out as well.
Work now, play later: This is the new strategy planned out in my head. Simple, but oh so hard to do. Must not procrastinate.
Locate areas of study: I also realized last semester that I just could not study in my room for some reason – the desk was there, my books were open but I could not concentrate. I did figure out a few places that worked for me, but unfortunately too late into the semester. The main locations I plan on residing in for the rest of this semester are – First floor lounge of Katzenbach, Mable Smith Library, SERC reading room, CCC and Alexander Library. Great, quiet places for hardcore studying.
Tutoring sessions: I have no idea why I never utilized the tutoring available on campus, but I definitely intend to do that now. I also realized this too late into last semester, so I’m definitely not making that mistake again.
Exercise: Sadly, I never realized the importance of exercise in keeping the body and the mind fit as well. It’s a great stress reliever and helps you keep in shape while you constantly consume junk food while working. Definitely keeping this as a priority.
Now, hopefully this plan works out, I’ll be keeping my blog updated to show my progress as this semester goes along. Wish me luck!
Anyway, enough about all the work. The break has been amazing so far, watching movies, tv shows, reading all day, catching up with my family, and waking up late. I also went to Texas to visit old family friends, visited NYC quite a few times and only today morning went for the recording of the Nate Berkus Show with my Mom. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did; I honestly did not even know who it was until I went in there. The best part though, was Buddy from Cake Boss, who came for a special appearance and we ate some of his delicious cake. Yummmm.
Hope everyone has had an amazing holiday! Can’t wait to get back and meet all my friends at Rutgers again!
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