Time Management: Time Will Tell

I am trying to be better at managing my time but it is so hard.  I have to get better at managing my time.

When I was a student I would make lists.  This worked for me.  As I started my teaching career I stopped this practice for some reason.  It would have seemed to have been more critical as a new teacher.  I honestly think I started out making list (I do have some vague memories) but sometime in the last 6 years it petered out to nothing.  I have slowly started making list again.  I have to remind myself to check it-- when I remember to make a list, that is. 

This summer I will be starting an intense Masters of Applied Linguistics program.  The key word here is: INTENSE.  I remember working two jobs and going to school full time.  Now, I just have one job but it is teaching.  Why do I think it will be twice as hard as before?   ......   : /   ..... hmmm, maybe because I'll be working on 6 credits from July 7th to July 31st. Then in the fall and spring semesters I'll be taking 4 credits. 

No wonder I'm looking at organization tips.

Other blogs have some great ideas for "To Do Lists".  I really like the graphic organizer I found on http://simplemom.net/daily-docket.  I printed off her template, did a little cutting and paste-ing (literally).  I'm trying it out as both a personal planner and a lesson/schedule planner. 

All over printrest I have seen this pin  http://www.thecollegeprepster.com  for intense study habits.  She has wonderful, mad skills!! This led me to also looking at student "how to study books".  Yes.  I'm looking at "how to study books". 

I'm thinking that this is all a sign of nervous stress of starting the degree.  Looking at these wonderful tools, I think, "this is great!" but the little voice in the back of my head says, "is it great for you?"  As in all things:  Time Will Tell.

These different post, books, and pins are all inspiration.  If others do it, so can I.  I did college once, I can do it again. 


Random Picture:  Wild Goose Tracks... Really

 This is a picture, taken from the boardwalk, of the buildings as they are being built.  You can see the steel frames on the left.  There are also various piles of supplies and equipment on the right.

 Dumping yet more gravel and dirt.  This is part of what makes it so expensive.  ALL of the rock had to be barged in from somewhere else. 

 This is a picture of a Caravan.  If you look closely you can see the steps at the back door.

We have been lucky in our village because we have a new (new being only four years old) multi-million dollar airport.  This sounds swanky and for here it is.  Just not the swanky everyone else thinks of.  The airport is really just an airstrip with only a beat-up, unheated trailer for protection against the elements.  What makes it swanky is the fact that there are working lights, and the ground has been built up so it remains stable (which helps the lights to keep working). 

Every year I keep thinking that next year will not be so crazy.  Today I am forced to conclude that this thought is UNTRUE in every way.  I am applying for what will be an intensive masters program, I just signed up for a 2-credit graduate level class, will sign up for another 1-credit class tonight, and just found out that I was accepted as a member of our district's math curriculum committee.  Now granted not all of these things will be going on at the same time.  The two classes start next week and will only last a couple of months.  The committee starts next month (I think, I need to get more details on that) and will run for 18 months.  The Masters will start (if I'm lucky enough to get one of five spots) with an intensive 6 credit month of work in July and run for 2 and a half years.    When I saw the email telling me that I was part of the math committee, that is when it hit me.  Teaching is a crazy life that attracts more craziness to it.