Managing in Unprecedented Times by Alysha

Managing in Unprecedented Times by Alysha - January 2022 Scholarship Essay

There seems to be an unspoken rite of passage to success in society, a common pattern of working ourselves to the point of burn out. In college culture, it’s a guarantee that every student will experience this at least once in their academic pursuit. As a STEM undergraduate, I have had my fair share of these situations, but have them less often and with smaller recovery times due to my time management skills. In 2021, I was better acclimated to my online learning journey, allowing me to hone my abilities in scheduling proper studying time, which was vital to my academic success.

While juggling two jobs, a full-time class schedule, and volunteer work has always felt like a race around the clock, every year I feel stronger in my time management. I have found inspiration in a busy schedule, by volunteering in my community, I feel like I am actively working towards the end goals of my education. Even in an intense major, if I am not motivated to fulfill my class deadlines, I perform lower and risk submitting late or not at all. Without bonding in the environment, I am also subject to studying by myself or dismissing extra notes or help from other classmates. However, additional time spent in organization events can be a double-edged sword, where I lose study time, office hours, or self care activities.

To battle the ongoing challenge of a busy calendar, I keep a planner on hand to note class times, allot homework or review material hours, important events, and update a daily to-do list. By prioritizing between personal, professional, and academic interests, I can determine which opportunities are achievable and expect what each consequence will entail. I consider these items and objectives my tools, accounting for overall time management as I make adjustments according to what is feasible for the moment. It is important to mention that all areas should have flexibility for change, because time management should reflect life, not a rigorous activity.