For many students, particularly new students, the first night of a new class can be overwhelming. Once you get a good glimpse of the syllabus and see all the work that awaits... well, it can be hard to know where to start. For example, in the class that I am teaching right now, we discussed a variety of assignments: journals, a podcast and response assignment online, a group project, a major paper, and of course reading. So, how the heck do you even get started?This sounds obvious, but sometimes we forget... so here goes:
Make a list -- list the various assignments and note when they are due.
Break it down -- under each assignment, note the various steps that you will need to take.
Timeline -- transfer all of this to your calendar.
As you make the list and break it down, you will be able to focus on the short term and also clarify what you will need to do in coming weeks and months. So for example, my students are working on a group project among their other assignments. They picked a book in class. And really, for this week, all they need to do is order the book... and then they should mentally put this assignment aside and work on the things that are due this coming week.
Cheering you on in your work!
Harriet
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