- Rule #1: Set Your Priorities Straight.
Unless you have prepared accordingly for a quiz or an exam, do not go out! College is an exciting time, but also an important time. Many college students have a great time going to clubs and parties, but they do not seem to realize how important it is to do well in college. The decisions you make for the four years you are in college will determine the rest of your life.
- Rule #2: Do Not Procrastinate.
Many teenagers or college students have a tendency to procrastinate. Unless you have a photographic memory or thrive under pressure, this is not the way to get things done. I have seen many smart individuals do poorly in school due to their lack of time management and procrastination.
- Rule #3: Get It Done.
Some other advice I can give students is to do your homework as soon as you receive an assignment. If you get an assigned paper that is due four weeks from the date you received it, do not wait. One of my close friends has a phrase that he often says when we are training. That saying is “Let’s Get It Done!” Besides, once you have finished your assignments in advance, you have the comfort of knowing you have more time to concentrate on training.
Prioritize Appropriately
What I like to do is plan out my day so I know when and where I will be training. I like to set priorities for every day of the week. I like to categorize my priorities into two categories.
- Priority #1: Accomplishing things that must get done such as school work and working.
Anything that is school related such as studying for a test, finishing a paper, or finishing a reading assignment has to be first on the list to be a successful college student. Along with these things, going to work and making money to pay bills and live is also a number one priority.
- Priority #2: Training (Just as important as priority #1, but the timing has to be right).
This does not mean that training is not important, but it simply means that you have to know when and where to train when dealing with a busy schedule.
After the first two priorities have been accomplished, then you can do things that many college students enjoy doing for fun such as watching TV, playing video games and anything else that may be of interest to you or that you enjoy doing in your spare time.
Use Cell Phones as a Means of Planning Your Day
I plan out how many hours must be devoted to attending class and doing homework. I then look at my work schedule and write that on my calendar. A great and efficient way to do this is to use cell phones. Everybody in the 21st Century has a cell phone and it is a great way to plan and remind yourself of important events or things you have to do. After I have figured out how I am going to accomplish my school priorities, I then figure out how I will fit training into my schedule. If you noticed I have put a lot of things before training, but this does not mean that it is not important. Many people have made the mistake of putting bodybuilding as their absolute #1 priority. Training is important, but it comes second to school work and studies, which are items that will have a direct impact on the rest of your life.
Now that you understand how to plan your week out, simply plan a time for the gym. For some this can be easy as their schedules allow them to go to the gym every day at a set time. For others, their schedules may be too hectic. They must go at different times of the day whenever they are able to squeeze some free time into their busy days. Their schedules are never the same day in and day out (I fall under this category).
