<p>Lol, just curious. To me, it feels like everything happens at the same time. How do you guys generally manage it?</p>
<p>I didn't join clubs or anything 1st year, but I want to get a bit more involved now. I will check out Calapalooza and sign up for interesting ones. </p>
<p>But yeah, how do you guys do it?</p>
<p>efficiently.</p>
<p>slash study for grad school exams?</p>
<p>I’m curious about this too. It seems like everything I want to do is at the same time.</p>
<p>
sleep is for the weak.
Can’t win 'em all. Prioritize your interests and plan accordingly.</p>
<p>By not joining clubs that have meetings at the same time.</p>
<p>crowslayer said it all.</p>
<p>It gets tough. I volunteer at the hospital at 5:30 AM because I get no other open block in any day of the week. I try to schedule classes for mornings and minimize open hours. I study when I’m sitting around waiting for the bus, waiting for class, etc… Yeah, as crownslayer mentioned I don’t sign up for clubs that meet at the same time (that’s common sense). Everything doesn’t happen at the same time.</p>
<p>Well, that one club you are interested in only conflicts with everything else. And study groups conflict with classes/office hours…w/e. lol.</p>
<p>yes i know everything doesn’t happen at same time, but i’m not interested in “everything”, just a few.</p>
<p>I can’t tell if this is the kind of response you were looking for… </p>
<p>Coming from someone that used to overwhelm themselves with TOO many ECs, for the past few years I’ve tried to limit them to certain categories and prioritize like Crowslayer said. For myself, time management is obviously easiest to master if you plan ahead of time.</p>
<p>::EACH SEMESTER::</p>
<ol>
<li><p>First of all, make yourself a ****ing schedule. I usually make a master one in Excel (w/times, classes, weekly obligations, etc.) then update it every Sunday and add in things I need to get done that particular week.</p></li>
<li><p>CLASS, HW, & STUDYING FOR EXAMS should always take precedence over all else. Instead of cramming for everything at the last minute, try reviewing material every few days. Though I still cram for exams, I’m way more productive in less time since I’ve been exposed to the concepts repeatedly. In effect, you won’t have to ignore all your other activities every time you have an exam coming up. Try to schedule some time every day (even consider just showing up to your class 15 mins early instead) to briefly review for each of your classes. </p></li>
<li><p>OFFICE HOURS importance is really dependent on the class and professor. Generally, if it’s a GenEd class, I would’t waste time going to OH when I can just ask other students/consult the internet. If it’s a professor that you would like to become familiar with, make it a point to visit every few weeks. On the in-between weeks, email them with any questions. With repeated exposure, over time they can put a name (from your email) with a face (from OH). I also make it a point to briefly converse with them on something other than schoolwork so that I can bring it up the next time.</p></li>
<li><p>RESEARCH & INTERNSHIPS require more commitment than other ECs and should therefore be your next priority. After all, if you’re giving so much of your time, you might as well make it worth it. Only plan on doing these if you can realistically contribute a decent amount of your time that particular semester. To offset your time commitment, plan on less schoolwork (read: easier schedule, P/NP, units for research) in these semesters. There is also always the summer!</p></li>
<li><p>Choose 1 or 2 SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES/CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS to put your time and effort into each semester. This can be absolutely anything that you may be interested in but I would suggest choosing something in which you have a long-term interest. In successive semesters, your involvement can lead to better opportunities (Ex. club positions). This can also change every year as you discover other activities you’d like to be more involved in.</p></li>
<li><p>Choose a few more MODERATE ACTIVITIES/CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS to be involved in. Generally, I would place less extensive volunteer commitments in this area (1 day events, or those with few meetings and little to no commitment) in addition to interest clubs and just general activities that don’t require much of a time requirement. If you find yourself overwhelmed with everything, these are the things that you should drop first. If it conflicts with school, find something new. These should be essentially disposable.</p></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>WORK is obviously a huge priority to some people. Today, not everyone is able to find a job that is relevant to their future career. If possible, attempt to find something that is somewhat related or something that can enhance your outlook on life. Ex. Consider different AmeriCorps programs (often funded), or obviously a Work/Study that is somewhat relevent to your interests.</li>
</ul>
<p>** Other priorities like GRE/OTHER EXAMS/JOB APP/GRAD APP are going to be increasingly important as you near graduation. I can’t stress enough how important it is to plan for this ahead of time. Also, GRE subject tests (and others) are only offered at certain times of the year. Make an outline of your Junior/Senior year and see where you need to fit in these things. Try to involve yourself in other activities during your Freshman-Junior year so you’re not coming into your Senior year with no ECs and trying to stuff them all into a few semesters. Additionally, this is when you will potentially be doing research and you want to have plenty of time to dedicate to that. Don’t forget that Summer is a great time to get yourself involved in things.</p>
<p>Sorry for the length.</p>
<p>^yes, that was something i was looking for haha. thanks for the post man. that is really helpful. yeah, i’m just thinking of joining one club. i am going to apply for internships in the summer and focus on my studies, since i’m applying for a capped major.</p>
<p>omg killmyentourage
Great response - filled with useful information, great tips, and presented in an extremely organized way. Thanks!</p>
<p>No problem. </p>
<p>Tons of freshman come to college, try to create an image for themselves, and wind up labeling various activities as lame. Furthermore, a lot of them don’t have the self-confidence to approach someone and express their interest in something that person is involved in. Some older students tend to procrastinate a bit on getting involved also since they already have a routine down that works for them. This all contributes to why it’s really important to be open to new things from Day 1, no matter what year you are.</p>