So I shall procrastinate by blogging about the things that keep me on track (despite my procrasti-activities).
What are the key elements of keeping me on track, study wise?
1. My Calendar
Every week I plan everything I need to do on my calendar. The whole iCloud thing is marvellous because my detailed planning process (which in itself feels like procrastinating, because it feels productive but doesn't actually achieve any of those big "end goals") is magically available on my phone and ipad so my schedule is suddenly accessible anywhere I go.
I like the idea of a planner - having everything written down in one place with appointments and post-its and a cute little pen. But the fact of the matter is I use it for 2 weeks then lose it, or forget about it, or spill something on it. So I am just honest with myself and use my e-Planners religiously.
That doesn't mean I don't get to write lists or use post-its though...
2. My Notebook(s)
Part of my planning process is to use lists. The best way to do lists is in a lovely notebook. I get notebooks for Christmas and Birthdays, so there is never a shortage of pretty, Manda-like notebooks to keep me happy and interested.
I like to break down tasks into 'To Do' lists. Easy example: An essay I'm about to start about the Berlin Blockade/Airlift. I broke down the question into points I needed to cover. I wrote a list of article topics I should find. I wrote a list of "mini-deadlines" for reading, drafting, editing, and final versions, then I put it on my calendar.
I used to do this on scrap paper and preserve my notebooks for some "special" purpose. Like I was going to write an amazing novel if just the write GSM notebook came along... Now I realise the value of a notebook - not just in keeping things together, but to look back on and see what you should have done, perhaps where you may have gone wrong, but importantly, to see how far you've come.
3. Inspiring People, or "Pretending to be just as cool as that girl"
I have a clear memory of when I was probably about 5 or 6 years old. I had started watching an Australian TV show that featured a group of friends who did the usual kid stuff - went to school, had adventures etc. There was one girl who was very studious and smart - and I decided: I want to be like her.
So I did my hair like her. I set up a desk so I could "do projects". And I walked around pretending that I was her.
I am convinced that this is a big part of who I have become. I decided early on that this good role-model was who I wanted to be. I am under no illusion that I am smarter than anyone else - I just wanted to be that girl: who looked smart, in control, cool, calm, collected. So I did what she did.
Fast-forward and this has actually been a pretty good guide for me. I'm not naturally that intelligent - but I am intelligent enough to model myself and my actions on successful people. I have two incredibly genius-level smart cousins who I always used to copy. Yes, they are both younger than me, but I guess they inspired me none-the-less. They collected coins or spoons - so did I. They learned about Heiroglyphs? So did I. You get the drift.
At school/uni I would see people write their notes and organise their binders in a way that seemed smart and efficient - I would try that. They would talk about books they'd read that gave them tips on how to succeed in a certain subject, and so I read them too.
BLOGS - I have found so very many blogs with such great ideas on how to study efficiently and organise yourself! So I model myself on their ideas.
You get the drift? Sure, for a while I felt like a fraud - like I was trying to be this smart, kept together person but really I was just copying everyone else. But the truth is, if you ask me: its the smart thing to do. There is no point reinventing the wheel!
Do what others have found works.
Avoid what others have found fails.
And I guess this all gives me a clear concept of who I am as a student - I am organised. All my ducks are in a row. I am like these people. I am in control of my work and my time. And when I have this clear, calm and happy idea in my head - I am SO much more productive!
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