Necessary Over Preferred by Grace

Necessary Over Preferred by Grace - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

Forbes magazine gathered the statistic that only 8% of people achieve their new year's resolution. The immediate question pops into my head: what about these resolutions makes them so impossible to accomplish? Whether it be an impossible goal or a lack of dedication in the person I decided that I am not going to merely become a statistic but strive to manage my time better in order that I may make the most of every minute to grow my potential, a goal that will be helpful in all areas of life but primarily as a student.
Time management in this day and time has been altered to a new level of difficulty by simply introducing one thing: technology. Technology has opened up a whole new world of communication, ideas and opportunities and ultimately for me, distraction. Despite my reluctance to admit it, I am much more time efficient when the tie between me and my cellphone is broken (turned off and put away). My mind no longer drifts over to my phone to check that one snapchat or text that one person back which usually ends up being a 30 minute endeavor. I am able to put all of my brain's attention on what I am studying and therefore retain it and understand it much better. Having the self control to put the technology away is no easy task but it allows for structured study times and attention towards learning rather than blurring together the hours of the day by catering to the part of my brain that pulls my attention to the tempting world of social media.
Work before play is always a good standard to have and one way to ensure that is by prioritizing. I will put the necessary before the preferred, which will mean getting work done before having fun. By making a tangible list I can zero my energy and focus on the most important assignments. Instead of having all of my assignments floating around in my head, working on them only when I remember them, I will have a set list that I can physically check off as completed and then go enjoy the fun things much more since my mind is clear of lurking assignments and due dates.
I will become a more organized and focused student by prioritizing my activities and assignments and separating myself from technology when I study. Having the self discipline to practice effective time management will help me reach goals and create new ones. These habits will help me as a student but also filter into all areas of my life allowing me to reach my full potential in all that I do.