Time now on the side of seminar students
by Nick Nance, reporter

    Students who attended Time Out, a time-management workshop, last week on NE Campus found out if the song Time Is on My Side was accurate.

    Susie Carranza, NE counselor, began the workshop with a question: “What kind of time manager are you?”

    “Most of us think we organize our time very well. We have the intentions of doing that, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way,” she said.

    Carranza led students through several questions designed to help them determine what was taking away their time. She wanted student participants to begin analyzing their own habits to see how the information in her presentation would benefit them.

    “Perfectionism can have a big effect on our use of time,” she said. “And learn to say ‘no.’”

    The biggest question she posed to students who wanted to finish school within a reasonable time was “What is more important: work or school?”

    Using herself as a model, she mentioned that it took her 20 years to complete her four-year degree, but was married, had two children, held a full-time job and attended school part-time.

    One helpful formula, Carranza said, is for students to study two hours for every hour of class. She said that time should be scheduled into one’s day although the time does not have to be in a single block.

    Carranza presented different ways for students to keep their schedules focused on their priorities. She suggested controlling distractions, studying with other people, limiting time wasters and following a strict time-management checklist adjusted for their personal needs. Carranza also stressed the importance of writing a daily to-do list and eating right.

    “Decompress and stay healthy with your busy schedule,” she said.

To ensure students do not waste their time in school, Carranza advised them to obtain degree plan assistance provided by the counseling department. She also reminded students that after registration fees are paid, students have access to numerous tutorial labs throughout each campus.

    The workshop was part of College 101: Survival Workshops, sponsored by the NE Campus counseling center. Other workshops are scheduled through October.