March 5, 2024
     Daylight: 10:39:41

The roller coaster we’ve been riding on for seven weeks has reached the high point of the ride. This week, the week before spring break marks the moment when the coaster arrives at its peak; take a pause. We have just a few moments to glance around. Take a look back toward the dark depths of winter where we came from and take a quick look forward into the distance where we see break up, warming skies, and ultimately, spring. It is coming. In between here and there is the exhilarating plunge into spring break and the few remaining weeks that will pass in a hurtling rush. 

Welcome to Week 8! Enjoy the view! 

From this high point, take a moment to take stock. How are you doing? Are you caught up? Are you feeling confident that you have your urgent and important matters managed? Are you feeling overwhelmed? If you are feeling a bit buried, it might be helpful to take a moment to think about how you prioritize your time. What is your time management strategy? Have you ever heard that question or thought about how you spend your time? 

There are many different ideas and models that help people think about time management. One of my favorites is called the Eisenhower Method. It provides a basic matrix that you might use to think about how to categorize the various demands on your time. Where would or should your studies fit into this scheme? Where does the latest streaming TV series fit into your plans? What about your spring break activities? Take a moment, and sketch it out. Where should you spend your attention? 

Of course, you can’t manage your time, you can only manage the things you do with it. Check out this powerful article on the subject from the University of Georgia. A strong strategy here can lead to a more peaceful ride during the weeks ahead. It can also lead to longer-term gains. 

Here are some key parts I’d like to share that you might find helpful:

“People who practice good time management techniques often find that they:

• Are more productive.

• Have more energy for things they need to accomplish.

• Feel less stressed.

• Have more free time to do the things they want.

• Get more things done.

• Relate more positively to others.

• Feel better about themselves. (Dodd and Subdheim, 2005)”

From: Time Management: 10 Strategies for Better Time Management, University of Georgia Extension.

Are you already on top of your game? Great! If there is room to improve, now is a good time to re-center and reset your priorities and schedule. Take a moment to reflect on where you should focus and on what elements you should ignore or spend less time on. Are you ready for the ride? Keep your arms and legs inside the car - here we go!

Things to do:

• Take care of yourself over the break

• Rest

• Restore 

• Find and share joy where you can

Have a great week! Enjoy the amazing weather this week and have a fabulous spring break!

Let me know what you are doing for the break that has you excited! As always, I’m at obguthrie@alaska.edu.

— Owen Guthrie, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management