<p>Mackinaw~ Yikes! Yes, 5 is a humane change, I agree!</p>
<p>And, as to the planner thing… I really recommend it. In high school I was the sort who rarely wrote anything down and never really planned ahead. It worked just fine for me then because, well, it was high school. However, when I came to Reed I quickly realized that I needed something more substantial to keep me on track. I bought a planner but hated it. I have no idea why writing in a planner irritated me so much, but I never did it. Once I missed one of the assigned readings because of my lack of writing things down and decided I needed to organize and change immediatly. So, I started making lists. At the beginning of each week I pull out all my syllabi and write down each assignment. I also make special note of any papers/tests in the next two weeks and make sure I start drafting/studying before the night before its due. Then, at the bottom, I write any appointments I need to remember. It works really well and I’ve learned to take great satisfaction in crossing off things (especially papers).</p>
<p>That being said, I just remembered something. Everyone I know has had some kind of “wake-up call” while at Reed. Whether it be flunking a problem set or getting way behind in a class, everyone has struggled somewhere. Generally, if they take the wake up call things work out fine from there. I know, coming into Reed there were places I was unprepared. I also was really really bad at managing my time. However, my first paper due (which wasn’t my Hum paper, it was a three page religion paper) was my wake up call. </p>
<p>I had been doing all my reading, but wasn’t really focusing as much as I needed. In all honesty, it was only the second week of college and I was sort of flailing about. Then, this paper came up. I was really worried, but still sort of threw it together. My thoughts really weren’t on the class. Lo and behold, the teacher said I needed to rewrite it. Now, this doesn’t seem like a big deal, but the last time I did poorly on something “big” like that was in 7th grade, before I’d regained academic focus. And, I’m a bit of perfectionist (although, being a perfectionist at Reed is just asking for suffering) so, I was embarassed/ashamed/the whole nine yards. I was very greatful for the chance to rewrite and worked really hard on the next paper. And, really, changed my priorities. </p>
<p>The point in that story wasn’t to try to brag (that would be lame) but to tell people that… well… practically everyone screws up somewhere. However, college is a chance for that. Don’t beat yourself up if it happens, just re-evaluate your priorities, see what tripped you up, and move on the best you can.</p>