21 replies to this topic

[rEvolution]

Workload:
I'm a freshman, in Gateway to Medicine, and I was just wondering how people who have been here before manage the workload. It's only been two days and I've gotten 3 projects (2 due on the same date).

I know that BTHS isn't an easy school, but do you guys have any tips to make the workload easier to manage?

[mbxsd]

First, I make sure to write down ALL of my assignments in my homework planner. Each time I finish an assignment I cross it off so I can move on to the next thing.

On weekdays, I do some of my work when I have free time (e.g. lunch), and get the rest of my work done as soon as I get home. If I'm having trouble with anything (usually it's math) I ask my friends to help me. Sometimes I even go to tutoring and get my homework done there. I did this especially for Physics because going to tutoring guaranteed me a 90 or above on the Utexas homework. It also meant that I would get my work done in about 10 minutes whereas if I went home, it would have taken me about 2 hours.

On weekends, I get most (around 80%) of the work done on Friday, and do the rest over the weekend.
When it comes to individual projects, I don't like to wait until the last day to finish it. I usually work on it the day it's assigned and get it done a day or two before it's due. Group projects, however, vary depending on what kind of people I'm partnered up with...

In sum, just do as much things as you can the day they are assigned... Don't procrastinate, and try not to get distracted. xD

[ClEMeNt]

Ohmai, 2 Gateway freshmen on the forums.
I heard the teachers you got this year are especially hard.

The 2 main subjects you have to watch out for are definitely AP World and Chemistry, bio too if you're not particularly good at it.
Stagger your projects and workload so you'll be finished 2 days before the due date, 1 if the time allowed is too little.
For instance, on the day you get the projects, start noting down which days you're going to devote to working on the project and how many hours.
Regular homework should be done BEFORE doing your project.

[rEvolution]

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it

[samn122]

rEvolution, on 10 September 2011 - 02:59 PM, said:

Workload:
I'm a freshman, in Gateway to Medicine, and I was just wondering how people who have been here before manage the workload. It's only been two days and I've gotten 3 projects (2 due on the same date).

I know that BTHS isn't an easy school, but do you guys have any tips to make the workload easier to manage?

3 PROJECTS?!?!?
I've only gotten 1 project from Rowley so far. What are the other 2?

[TheN3rd]

I just procrastinate. It's been working out pretty well.
But more seriously, just do everything ahead of time and try not to overload yourself.
I know it's hard, but just do it.
And when it's so much that you almost can't handle it, just take it one day at a time.
Just don't give up! Ever!
Crying helps sometimes.
Also! Floor naps do not work! You end up waking in 45 minutes feeling even more tired.
And try not to fall asleep in the shower. It sucks.
Bathroom floor too. You wake up with neckpain, getting yelled at by your parents.
And when you're on the subway, try to get a seat where you can lean against the wall. Falling asleep on other people is often embarrassing.
And don't think that you can't fall asleep when you're standing up. You can.
Hmmm, what else?

[irispepa]

What you need to do is put those assignments aside for a while. Clear your head. Turn to them the night before they are due and read the assignment. Do it then and get your 100. Works 100% of the time. Trust me on this.

[mbxsd]

TheN3rd, on 10 September 2011 - 05:20 PM, said:

I just procrastinate. It's been working out pretty well.
But more seriously, just do everything ahead of time and try not to overload yourself.
I know it's hard, but just do it.
And when it's so much that you almost can't handle it, just take it one day at a time.
Just don't give up! Ever!
Crying helps sometimes.
Also! Floor naps do not work! You end up waking in 45 minutes feeling even more tired.
And try not to fall asleep in the shower. It sucks.
Bathroom floor too. You wake up with neckpain, getting yelled at by your parents.
And when you're on the subway, try to get a seat where you can lean against the wall. Falling asleep on other people is often embarrassing.
And don't think that you can't fall asleep when you're standing up. You can.
Hmmm, what else?

Sounds like you're speaking from experience.

[TheN3rd]

mbxsd, on 10 September 2011 - 05:42 PM, said:

Sounds like you're speaking from experience.

I am.
AND REMEMBER!
More sleep now and less sleep later is always better than some sleep now and some sleep later.

[mbxsd]

irispepa, on 10 September 2011 - 05:41 PM, said:

What you need to do is put those assignments aside for a while. Clear your head. Turn to them the night before they are due and read the assignment. Do it then and get your 100. Works 100% of the time. Trust me on this.

That might work for some people, but for me, it doesn't. I like to get things done early, clear my head and then relax. But yeah, whatever floats your boat basically.

[samn122]

TheN3rd, on 10 September 2011 - 05:20 PM, said:

Falling asleep on other people is often embarrassing.

Go on, tell me more.

[TheN3rd]

samn122, on 10 September 2011 - 05:52 PM, said:

Go on, tell me more.

Always make sure you have enough paper and ink. Most friends don't stay up until sunrise.
The subway is a great place for homework, just don't plan on taking out more than a folder/small notebook/language textbook.
If you can, start the homework in class while the teacher rants.
Try to have a small bookbag. This doesn't apply to juniors. /standard advice
If you have a bedtime (lulz) just nap until your parents go to sleep and start your homework then.
You can survive a day without food. Just make sure it's not a gym day.
When you go to the bathroom, take a textbook with you and read.
Get friendly with teachers, it pays off BIG TIME.
Make sure you get online due dates correct. Can't tell you how many times I thought things were due at midnight and they were actually due at noon.
You'll learn how to bull**** assignments pretty soon.
I'll add more later.

[mbxsd]

TheN3rd, on 10 September 2011 - 05:59 PM, said:

Always make sure you have enough paper and ink. Most friends don't stay up until sunrise.
The subway is a great place for homework, just don't plan on taking out more than a folder/small notebook/language textbook.
If you can, start the homework in class while the teacher rants.
Try to have a small bookbag. This doesn't apply to juniors. /standard advice
If you have a bedtime (lulz) just nap until your parents go to sleep and start your homework then.
You can survive a day without food. Just make sure it's not a gym day.
When you go to the bathroom, take a textbook with you and read.
Get friendly with teachers, it pays off BIG TIME.
Make sure you get online due dates correct. Can't tell you how many times I thought things were due at midnight and they were actually due at noon.
You'll learn how to bull**** assignments pretty soon.
I'll add more later.

Gee I wonder what your teachers'll think when they see what you've written here. xD

[TheN3rd]

mbxsd, on 10 September 2011 - 06:15 PM, said:

Gee I wonder what your teachers'll think when they see what you've written here. xD

As long as I keep up my grades, I doubt they'll care.

[samn122]

His name is "TheNerd" ಠ_ಠ

[blackmanor1000]

If you have no sense of time management, then Architecture is either the best major or the worst major for you.


It'll be good because you will learn to manage your time better and not procrastinate, or...

It'll be terrible because if you do procrastinate, you WILL suffer.

[moonrock_]

Adderall.

EDIT: Lots of it, too.

[blackmanor1000]

It says a lot about your character if you have to have to resort to prescription drugs to take a test or do your homework.

[moonrock_]

blackmanor1000, on 10 September 2011 - 07:17 PM, said:

It says a lot about your character if you have to have to resort to prescription drugs to take a test or do your homework.

No, I just have ADD.

In fact, that's just as valid as saying "it says a lot about your character if you have to resort to caffeine to function throughout the day."

edit: In fact, it's identical. You're resorting to stimulants to accomplish something.

[blackmanor1000]

moonrock_, on 10 September 2011 - 10:52 PM, said:

No, I just have ADD.

In fact, that's just as valid as saying "it says a lot about your character if you have to resort to caffeine to function throughout the day."

edit: In fact, it's identical. You're resorting to stimulants to accomplish something.

I thought you were one of those people who buy and use it as a study drug, but since you actually have ADD, then it's a whole other story. I think a cup of coffee before school is a lot more reasonable and less severe than taking a tablet of adderall.