Angela Zhang
How to Deal with Your Busy Schedule
Angela Zhang
Summer 2015
Since you are reading this blog, you probably are thinking about applying to the BUDC program, which I strongly encourage you to do so. However, you should get ready to be busy, very busy, especially if you are here for the summer. If you only take two classes, or an internship, it is fine. But if you are like me, taking two mandatory classes and two internships your schedule is more intense, or say, crazier. Besides the academic and career aspects, you also want to have fun and enjoy the city. How to balance these things is a big challenge.
As a person who keeps busy for quite a long time, I figured out some tips that can help deal with a busy schedule:
Utilize Your Calendar:
- A calendar is a very basic tool to help you organize your schedule. Whether it is a small notebook, Google Calendar, iPhone app, or demo, it will do the trick. Find out which one is your best fit and keep up with it. I love to use a notebook because it is easy to carry around and it feels good when you cross out a line, meaning that you finished a task. Moreover, I think a post-it demo is also very helpful, especially when you need to get something done before you go to bed. I would stick the demo on the side of the laptop screen and peel it off after I finished it. This method mainly helps you to not forget anything.
Follow a Calendar. Credit: http://www.gaebler.com/images/Categories/Calendar-and-Scheduling-Software.jpg
Estimate it First
- We know ourselves the best, so we should have some estimation like ‘How long would it takes?’ ‘Which one is easier, which one is harder?’ ‘If something else come up, how much extra time do I have?’ etc. This is a process to rank your responsibilities. I usually put the hardest one first, in case it takes longer time to accomplish. Relatively easy tasks, or things that I am proficient with, I will do latter, or during a break when I get stuck with hard tasks.
Set a Limit
- True, it is not easy to stay focus on the task. Usually, I will set a time frame or a specific point. For example, I will not look at my phone for the next half hour or I will not open Chrome until I finish this paragraph. If the task is not necessarily using the Internet, I strongly recommend going offline, and you will find out how efficient you can be.
Reward Yourself
- Sometimes, neither course nor internship is that enjoyable, so we often need to reward ourselves after we finish the task. Whether a small treat after each task, or a great meal at the end of the day, pick the one that makes you happy and satisfied. You deserve it!
Personally speaking, I actually love to have a busy schedule, although sometimes it really drives me crazy. I believe this is how it should be, and it is what I expected from the DC program. In the program, I realized my potential that I can do more or harder things than I thought, which is a wonderful feeling. I ensure you that you will learn so much from the program as long as you seize every opportunity. Welcome to the real world!
Angela is a raising senior studying in business and interning at a private sector & a government agency.
