Where has the time gone? It still feels like school has just begun, but we are already one month into the spring semester. This term is proving to be radically different from the fall. Whereas last October I felt as if I was drowning, and every day was a constant struggle to keep my head above water, now I feel more on top of things. In terms of academics, I have most of my big core accounting classes out of the way. Right now I am concentrating more on my track classes and electives. Also, recruiting is in the rearview mirror, and all of my energy is thankfully directed where it needs to be, on my classes. Finally, just by virtue of being in the program for so many months, I have developed an effective routine that allows me to get my work done every single day.
Last October I wrote a short post about several strategies I was planning to adopt to help me become more successful in this program. Some of them I was able to carry out. Others have been more of a challenge. With the the benefit of hindsight and with the perspective that a new semester and new classes bring, here is an updated analysis of my self improvement goals from last semester.
Textbook Readings
The strategy: Last October, I decided that reading my textbooks was not an efficient use of my time. Reviewing my class notes and doing homework problems was to become the new focus of my energy.
The result: This strategy actually ended up paying dividends for me last semester by allowing me to use my time more efficiently and by forcing me to focus on key concepts and cast aside inconsequential details. Unfortunately, I have had to abandon my n0-read plan this spring as my classes are much more reading- and concept-intensive and less problem driven. Without my textbooks, I would be completely in the dark this semester.
Early to Bed, Early to Rise
The strategy: After an exhausting couple of months, I was determined to go to sleep earlier and sacrifice some study time for sleep.
The result: I never had the guts to carry out this plan all the way. If I felt uneasy about a class, I would cave in and study into the early morning hours. So far, I have been able to control my sleep this spring, but I have not been truly tested yet.
Quality over Volume
The strategy: Rather than do hundreds of homework problems, I decided that I would try doing fewer problems, but attempt to understand each one better. Continue reading Lessons from Last Semester Revisited