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You are a first year university student, attending the University of Victoria; you have your first group project of the term. Your group consists of yourself, and three other classmates. Your group has already held the kick-off meeting (first meeting to get the project details sorted). All of your group members have their personal project goals set. It's time to manage your part of the project. [[I'm going to create a Google calendar to visually organize my time with this project and my other classes.]] [[I don't have too much work to do. I'm going to watch Netflix instead.]] <style> img {max-width: 100%; max-height: 100%;} </style> </style> <img src=https://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/assets/images/photos/billboard/billboard-aerial.jpg> </div>

It's quite easy to think that you have a lot of time for a project. However, professors provide that time because they realize that group projects take quite a while to complete, and that on top of the project, you most likely have other classes to juggle at the same time. After procrastinating... [[I really need to focus on my school work. It's time to get organized.]] [[I feel pretty tired after watching Netflix. I need to take a nap.]] <style> img {max-width: 100%; max-height: 100%;} </style> </style> <img src=https://freestocks.org/fs/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/watching_netflix_on_tv_2-1024x683.jpg> </div>

Google calendar is an excellent tool for time management! You can colour coordinate your tasks/events, and share your calendar with other people so they know your schedule as well. [[I'm going to add my major project deadlines so don't accidently miss anything.]] [["Ping! Your friend shared a Tik Tok with you." I'm going to check my phone.]] <style> img {max-width: 100%; max-height: 100%;} </style> </style> <img src=https://www.alltop9.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/google-calendar-tricks.jpg> </div>

You're on a roll with time management! However, most of the time, students are busy with other classes as well. [[I know how to make a priority list! I'll make one at the start of each week to keep myself on track!]] [[I'll just tackle them day by day. No big deal.]] <style> img {max-width: 100%; max-height: 100%;} </style> </style> <img src=http://www.lily-like.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Lily_Like_staying_organized_law_student.png> </div>

Taking breaks between homework and studying is important. You should pace yourself so that you do not burn yourself out. However, procrastination simply delays that work that needs to be completed. [["Yeah Yeah whatever. I can just do it all in one day."]] [["I probably should at least take a look at what I need to do."]] <style> img {max-width: 100%; max-height: 100%;} </style> </style> <img src=https://pngimg.com/uploads/tiktok/tiktok_PNG3.png> </div>

In order to focus on your school work, you relocate to a quiet area of your house. You set up your laptop. [[I'm going to Google calendar to visually organize my project schedule.]] [["Hmmm...I wonder what kind of Black Friday sales are happening." You start online shopping.]]

You've done a great job on organizing your school work! You stayed on track with your calendar that you previously made and completed all the tasks on your list. On top of that, you have completed your part of the project earlier than what was asked of you! Your group members appreciate your hardwork and love having you on the team. You decide to take a day off of your school work to relax for the day. A couple of weeks later...you have received annonymous peer feedback from your group. All your members have given you very positive responses! They complimented you on your punctual project completion and your organization skills. The final grade for the group project is a 96.5% <style> img {max-width: 100%; max-height: 100%;} </style> </style> <img src=https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/proud-student-showing-approved-exam-picture-id947185600?k=6&m=947185600&s=612x612&w=0&h=q3nGOtqaQB1MEbbkAvB9rEcbC-mTke2QWOv1KEUipP4=> </div>

Unfortunately it is quite common for students to delay their work until the day it's due. This is called cramming. Typically, the quality of work is sacrificed. In a group project setting, it simply creates anxiety and stress for your group members. Cramming can often lead to a disfunctional group. Your group contacts you asking how far you have gotten on your part of the project. You tell them you only have completed half of your part and apologize for not finishing. Your group is a bit annoyed with you but tell you to add your part to the shared Google doc. You realize that time management, priorities, and organization is vital for the success of a group project. For the rest of the project, you stay on top of your work and your group members thank you for pulling through. <style> img {max-width: 100%; max-height: 100%;} </style> </style> <img src=https://www.improvestudyhabits.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/cramwoman-1080x650.jpg> </div>

Distractions and procrastination are two very common hindrances that affect work progress. It's important to adopt tools and strategies to minimize the two. One example is physically distancing yourself from your phone so you are not as tempted to reach for it. Another is to put your phone on silent mode so the notifications do not distract you. Try to find methods that work best for you! Moving on in the story... Your group members contact you asking about the progress on your work. You tell them you have not gotten a chance to work on it because of a variety of reasons. Your members tell you have until the next day to finish your part. Hopefully through this story you understand the important of time management, priotization, and organization. Best of luck in school! <style> img {max-width: 100%; max-height: 100%;} </style> </style> <img src=https://www.sparkpeople.com/news/genericpictures/bigpictures/work-distractions-header.png> </div>