If you're reading this, I'm hypothesizing that you're a part of the crowd who has had their fair share of staying up late past midnight trying to complete the most arduous task: homework. I'm definitely a part of the same crowd. There have way too many times where I was up at midnight, trying to complete computer science homework, or reading questions for English. It's absolutely ridiculous, but what can we do?
Manage our time, duh! How, though?
First, complete all your paper homework. The assignments that don't require a computer, whatsoever. This includes any reading assignments, and/or completing reading comprehension questions right afterwards, manually writing essays, math, chemistry, physics problems, or even memorizing scripts (if you're a theater major, or if you're just participating in a school play for fun). By completing all your paper homework first, you don't have to worry about later in the night. There won't be any of those moments where you're cuddled up in bed, but then your brain decides to remind you of the math problems you forgot to complete.
Second, start on your online assignments. Since you finished assignments that require physically handing it in, there's no worry about 'Oh my God, I still have those left!' as you're surfing through Netflix on your umpteenth homework break. Personally, I'm someone who has difficulty concentrating on my online assignments because I'm always on YouTube, Tumblr, or browsing through random forums. Since my mind is on the online activity by total strangers, I'm wasting time. Therefore, this is why I finish all of my assignments that are on paper, then I begin completing things that have to be submitted via email or a website.
Third, if you have all online classes, or if you have to submit/do everything on online documents, then I would highly suggest installing an extension that will block certain *addictive* websites for a certain amount of time. I've used an extension called StayFocusd, and it's quite effective. Depending on your degree of procrastination, you might not need to go to the 'nuclear' level. The nuclear level is when the extension seriously forces you to focus on your work. If you have Tumblr on the list of blocked sites on the extension, there's no way StayFocusd will allow you to access the site. I don't use this now, but I'm thinking of getting back on the train again because I desperately need to focus on my work.
Fourth, arrange the times. If you've got a reading response due at 9 PM, but a homework due at 11:55 PM, do the reading before the homework! If you begin the homework first, you'll seriously miss the reading response due time. I've had this happen to me multiple times this semester, and the missed responses have negatively affected my grade, not even kidding! You may not consider the tiny things now, but they definitely do count and add up at the end! Whatever task is due earlier, complete that first, then move on to the next task. This is how you will be able to avoid panic attacks and keep time in check.
Last but not least, write down everything! Never rely solely on your memory for anything, even for grocery shopping. Buy a planner or an agenda and fill it up with tasks! However, here's the catch: don't become attached to the feeling of crossing out items from the list just for the feeling of satisfaction. This is not the point of writing things down. The point is to make sure you don't leave a stone unturned when completing tasks. Also, don't forgo the quality of the task, either. Don't just skim through the reading or copy-paste codes onto Python just so you can cross off those two assignments from the list. You'll likely not be able to answer any test/quiz questions, nor will you understand the logic behind the coding you just copied and pasted. Maintain quality of the studying over the quantity of how many tasks you're crossing out. You'll thank yourself when walking across the podium with your degree in hand, and graduating on time.
Not very many steps, huh? Managing time is quite easy, once you know what and how to do it. Yes, it seems like a lot of work, but I feel like finishing things on time becomes less time-consuming in the long run because you're not constantly catching up on missed assignments. The steps don't even have to be restricted for school; extend it towards house work and your part-time or full-time job as well!
Who knows? Maybe this managing homework thing might help banish your dark circles and help with achieving better skin in the future. After all, we all need beauty sleep, right?
