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Dear Black-Ops,

It’s after spring break and I’m going crazy trying to get every done that the teachers are throwing at me.  What should I do?  How do I keep things from piling up? And of course how the hell do I manage the f***ing stress???

Help,

Under Pressure

Dear Under Pressure,

First of all, slow down and take a deep breath … Now, your main concern is to figure out what is due when.  Then find a calendar and write the due dates on it.  Next sort the assignment into a couple different categories.  I suggest the following:

1. Stuff due by the end of the week (either readings or written work)

2. Stuff due after the end of the week (again reading or written)

3. Stuff that the teacher recommends be done

Using this category system it is necessary to update the piles weekly, but that helps in two ways.  First it allows you to concentrate your efforts on the things that are due soon.  Second at the end of the week you feel as though you have accomplished a lot of work.  I recommend that you resort the piles on Friday after you finish classes, but do it before you start relaxing for the weekend otherwise you will completely forget that there is an assignment due on Monday.

Another thing to watch out for is tests.  Write these on the calendar in bright contrasting colors that are easily seen.  When there is a test during the current write a card that says something like this:

There is a test in (insert class name) on (insert day of week).  You will study at least (insert of time and number of days).  If you do not you will fail, it’s that simple.

What you write on your card doesn’t have to look anything like that, it’s just a template, but it does work.  Now to deal with the “recommended” things that a teacher suggests; most of the time these the teacher just assumes that the students have time to do everything they ask.  THIS IS NOT TRUE!!! To help remind you of things that should be done keep pile #3 next to pile #1.  This way when pile #1 is gone it will seem natural to just keep going onto the next pile, however, be away of assignments due at the beginning of the following week.  These are the most dangerous ones because most people think they have all weekend, but really they end with only having Sunday night.  If a reading is recommended I suggest that you skim it.  This is usually enough to get the basic concepts which the teacher should expand upon later on.

Finally the most important part of all:  The f***ing stress.  Stress does funny things to the body.  Symptoms can include everything from a headache and blurry vision to severe panic attacks.  It is also one of the hardest things to treat.  There are at least three things that you can do to help relieve stress:

1. Schedule a stress time once a day on the calendar.  An hour should be enough.  During this time do whatever you want, but DO NOT do homework or things required of you.  This is your time to do whatever the hell you want.
    

2. Make the environment in which you work as pleasing as possible.  This is as simple as playing music.  It helps pass the time and it is also easier to think.  Another good one is that during the warmer months open a window.  Rooms get stale and sick smelling; airflow helps with this a lot.  I would recommend that the window be covered though to keep your eyes and mind from wandering outside.  This can be very dangerous as it can encourage procrastination.
    

3. No for the big secret … RELAX.  That’s it.  There is plenty of time to get everything done, just go at a steady pace and take breaks when you find it hard to concentrate.  This is the first sign of stress.  When it happens, and it will, walk away.  Go do something else for a while and then come back. 

That’s it, Black-Ops’ complete guide to schoolwork.  I don’t know a single person that this hasn’t worked for.  Try it and see what you think.  I won’t be mad if it doesn’t work for you (which I doubt) or if you don’t like it (this is more likely).  Everyone is different.

Thanks for the question Under Pressure.  As always send me all questions, comments, concerns, revelations, funny stories, and philosophical discussion topics.

Always,

If you have a question you want answered send it to - silverbone01@yahoo.com or MU – senior_wills@yahoo.com or Nez – nicholaeus@hotmail.com or DarB - tmh_n_co@yahoo.com  All email addresses sent to this site are confidential, and will not be shared with anyone...EVER.

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