Getting work done on time

Why is it vital

1. Late work tends to have a snowball effect. You delay some work to get the late work done. Then you need to delay other work to get the second one done. This just keeps building.
2. Being able to consistently meet deadlines is a very valuable skill for your career. Learning to do it now will better prepare you for the future.
3. The entire class' work is best graded at the same time. Delaying your work can cause problems for others because their grading or other feedback (such as a posting of a solution) is delayed.
4. Work is timed to help you with the learning at that time. Delaying it can decrease the benefit you get from doing it.

Guidelines on how to do it

1. "Read" the assignment soon after you are given it. This allows you to determine:
   1. how long you think it will take
   2. what additional resources, if any, you might need to be able to do the work
   3. any confusion about what the assignment is asking so that you can ask for clarification early
   4. any confusion about how to do the assignment so you can ask for help early
2. When planning when you will start, plan to finish it 24 hours early. This allows you time to "polish" the work, a buffer in case you don't plan well, and/or to handle an emergency.
3. It typically takes less time overall to do the work in a few sittings rather than just working through it all at one time. The breaks allow your brain to work on the problem. It allows you to attack the problem with fresh eyes and see obvious mistakes that may not be obvious if you do it in one sitting. It also allows you to get help when an unforeseen difficulty arises.
4. When you take breaks, make sure you stop at a good point. When you have "finished" a section and/or at a block. Don't interrupt your "creative juices."
5. Working while lacking sleep is almost always a bad use of the time. If you get sleep, you are usually much more efficient and can do the work in much less time and at a higher quality than if you "work through the night."
6. You can also ask someone to hold you accountable.
7. It is not uncommon for a person to be unaware how all their time is being spent. Keeping a time journal for a few days can be very enlightening.
8. You do need time to relax and recharge. Burning out is not good.

Requirements for credit

1. Keep a time journal for at least two days. This should be turned in. Record any insights you get from it.
2. Identify at least three things (at least two from the list above) that you think could help you better manage your time. Try them for two weeks. Report on the success or failure of each.