Why not choose to be organized – especially when there is a simple and easy method available? Creating to-do lists can come in many different variations and styles. You can write them in planners, on post-it notes, on a napkin, or keep them digitally – whatever you choose, it is personal to you. Personalization is one of the benefits that keeping to-do lists has along with other aspects:
- Keeping Organized
- Create Accountability
- Relieve Stress
- Schedule and Reschedule Plans
This past week as I have been creating these to-do lists, my friends and the people around me have commented on how I spend more time creating my to-do list than completing the tasks I had written down. While this might be true on some days, I like to personalize the one page I expect to look at for a couple days. With these to-do lists, I like to fill up the pages, so I write down all the assignments I have for classes for the next few days and this usually does the job. Even though I do love decorating and aesthetically filling up a page, this is also a way I can motivate myself into doing the work I had written down.
Therefore, with each passing week as we come closer and closer to the end of the semester and towards finals, I figured I’d give out a studying or organizing habit. In my head, when there are large assignments that I need to complete, I tend to divide them out into sections. For example, if there was an essay due, I’d divide the essay into different “phases” – outline, rough draft, final draft. This helps me organize my thoughts and by dividing them up, I still feel accomplished and not as stressed. Throughout the past week, I have found myself writing all these sections and phases down into my to-do list. Therefore, I know that I am making progress towards an assignment.
In one of my classes, ACCTG, I have to delegate my own time to doing the reading, watching the videos, and completing the homework by the assigned date because it is an independent course. With the to-do list, I have been able to easily measure my progress and plan out what I need to do each day so that my assignments are submitted in time.
Overall, I have dedicated an entire notebook to be filled with to-do lists, so this is a habit that I’ll be keeping in the long run. Your lists don’t have to abide by certain rules or expectations, but they do have to have an element that peaks your organization and motivation. This can appear in many different forms for everyone, and I think it’ll be a fun thing to test out before the semester ends.
I have never been good at keeping a planner or to-do list. I have tried to commit to one for a week or two, but I eventually stop looking at it or writing stuff down. This probably isn’t a good thing but it does not seem to be for me unfortunately.
Making lists has become an activity I enjoy doing as it helps me clear my mind of all the pressures and things I have to complete. What I usually do is at the end of each week plan for the week to come and I take into consideration all my assignments, tests, errands, and events I am invited to. By doing so I am able to balance my time between course work, my social life, my personal life and sleep. I’m not saying that by writing down what I have to do has helped me balance my life and become perfect but it has helped me relieve some of the worry about missing or forgetting some assignments or important dates.
I remember I used to keep a to-do list to keep myself productive during the beginning of quarantine. However, I was not disciplined enough and this healthy habit soon disappeared. I think you’ve inspired me to start making them again. That being said, I can’t help but notice that in the pictures you posted, not all of the boxes were checked off. I agree with the point your friends were making, that maybe you should spend more time doing the items on the to do list.