Make the Most Out of Thanksgiving Break

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE, MEIER 100A

We’re Not Saying Don’t Enjoy It!We Suggest the Following:

1. Seeing Old Friends2. Spending Time with Family and Relatives3. Watching the Macy’s Day Parade4. Cooking and baking enough food to feed an

army5. Watching football, holiday movies, and any

show you need to catch up on6. Playing football, or going for a long walk/

bike ride, etc.7. Eating an amazing Thanksgiving Day meal!

Time Management• Most students leave by Tuesday, Nov. 17, and

don’t return until Sunday, Nov. 22. That is at least 5 free days from classes

• Chances are you have a good amount of work due once you return- not to mention finals

• Therefore, save yourself some stress and do some work while you’re at home!

• Let’s set-up a PLAN FOR SUCCESS

AND

Plan for Success• Give yourself Thanksgiving off- no work at all • For all other free days, set-up a daily schedule of

when you will work• Identify which classes you have the most work• Identify which classes you have upcoming

assignments• Between those, tackle the upcoming assignments

first, and then the heavy-loaded classes next• Most often the upcoming assignments are the hardest to

do

• Try to at least work 2 hours/ day, no more than 6 hours/day- you need to be rested for the final push

Plan for Success• When working, try to find “ideal locations”• Free from noise• Free from distractions (family, friends, TV,

bed, couch, Facebook, etc.)• Free form your phone!• Ideas can include your library, a coffee

shop, book store, etc.• Set goals for what you want to accomplish• Allow yourself 15 minute breaks after 90

minutes of uninterrupted work

PreventingProcrastination

"Solomon and Rothblum (1984) found that 65% of college students want to learn to stop putting off writing term papers, 62% feel the need to study for exams more promptly, and 55% hope to read their assignments earlier.”

What Cause Procrastination?

Procrastination• Connected to “avoiding coping styles” which results in a

“tendency to neglect problems that cause anxiety rather than confront them.”

• Often due to anxiety caused by feeling “overwhelmed” by a task.

• According to the American Psychological Association, “college students who procrastinate in their academic work are also likely to have unhealthy sleep, diet, and exercise patterns.”

• Lack of will-power, poor planning and prioritizing.

• Focus on short-term vs. Long-term.

Treat Your Self• Even by putting in a little of work you are still

getting work done. Don’t think of all your work, just think of parts of it ;)

• By setting up short-term goals you are more likely to accomplish more

• Once you achieve some short-term goals, treat yourself with you favorite food, coffee, time with friends, an hour watching your favorite show, etc.

Let’s Make a Plan for Success!Work to Do

(in order of importance, or due date)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Let’s Make a Plan for Success!Daily Planner

Tuesday, Nov. 24

Weds., Nov. 25

Friday, Nov. 27

Saturday, Nov. 28

Sunday, Nov. 29

Have a Great Thanksgiving!

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE, MEIER 100A