Ranking Priorites

A-B-C, Easy as 1-2-3...

Have you ever had weeks and days where you feel like your teachers all planned to throw work or exams at you at the same time? That was me this past week, I felt so overwhelmed with work I didn’t even know where to begin. Once I found out about the “Ranking Priorities” I knew this would help me in getting my work done in the most productive way possible.

This strategy helps me categorize and rank my list of assignments from A=most essential, to B=important, and C=Optional, then in numerical order on which to complete first. I know I don’t have a choice in whether I do my assignments or not, mostly all assignments are required so a little tip to helping you choose your rankings in order is to use due dates. For example, I had a journal in CRS 414 due on Thursday before 11 am, and a paper for my CRS 287 class due later Thursday, so I put a lower number by my CRS 414 class instead of my CRS 287 class because my 414 class was due first, even though I knew they were both absolute essentials.

To start out with Ranking Priorities:

(1) First made a rough draft, coping all my assignments I need to complete from my agenda book, as well as any other little tasks, onto a lined piece of paper

(2) Second I ranked each of my assignments or tasks either A, B, or C. A=absolute essential, being the most important. B=important, and C=optional.

(3) Third, I placed a number next to each letter to which task I feel I need to do get done first. So most likely you would start 1 at one of your ‘A’ tasks because that is an absolute essential.

(4) Forth, on a new sheet of paper, rewrite all of your tasks, only this time, in alphabetical and numerical order you ranked them in, so start with A-1, A-2…

(5) Finally, begin completing your tasks starting at the top of your list, working you way down!

Another additional little step I did (because I am a visual learner) to help me visually see what I have completed was with a little checklist to the left side of my Ranking Priority list. So when you have completed one of your tasks simply check it off, this is so I can see what I have and have not yet completed.

One last thing you can’t forget… L.A.M.E! Learner, Action, Materials, and Evaluation!

Unfortunately feeling overwhelmed with work is realistically going to be a feeling every college student experiences but if you take use in this “Ranking Priorities” strategies it can help you with organizing your long lists of assignments in any class or all classes to progressively get it done and I promise it will help decrease or even prevent that stressful feeling!!