Katya Gonzalez-Willette
6 Keys to Time Management in DC
Katya Gonzalez-Willette
Summer 2015
1. Buy an agenda or planner
Between your internship and classes you will be very busy throughout the semester. It is vital you write the important things down so you know when your assignments or deadlines are coming up. You don’t forget to do them.
2. Create a healthy balance between work, class and a social life
Even if you are very busy, remember to make time to enjoy yourself in DC because the city has so much to offer! It is important to give yourself a break from the chaos of work and class to go out and explore. Tip: maintain a healthy balance and don’t let your social life get in the way of your professional and academic development.
3. Begin your assignments early
Once you’ve written down your assignment due dates, try to start working on them as soon as you can. I know it is hard to start assignments way before the deadline because you’ll be busy and the free time you do have you don’t want to dedicate to classwork but trust me it will benefit you in the end when you don’t have to do a six-page paper in three hours.
4. Set up a reward system for yourself
Once you finally finish that assignment for class that felt like it took forever or that task at work that you never thought you would be able to figure out how to do, treat yourself! Go out for brunch with your friends or grab a drink to celebrate your accomplishments. You worked hard and you deserve to be rewarded.
5.If you feel overwhelmed let someone know
Although you may feel overwhelmed at some point in the semester, it is important to remember that every person in the program is there to help you. Whether it be your professors, the program managers, or even your supervisor at your internship, they all understand that you have a lot going on. Let them know that you are having a tough time getting everything done. Talk to them about a problem you may be having. They are there to help you make the best of your semester!
6. When you get stuck – don’t give up!
DC is a great city and there are a lot of fun things to do here, but sometimes you may feel stuck. If you do, just remember you can do it. You were accepted into the program because you are a strong student and there is nothing they will throw at you that you can’t handle. Take a deep breath and never give up.
Katya is a junior studying business and political science, and an intern at Voice of America.
