Implementing GTD for a High School Student

[Bchang]

Hello,
I finished reading GTD after seeing the life chaninging reviews, and was extremely excited to start. Unfortunatly I am struggling to find a system that would work for a high school student like. I am looking for qualities like something portable, and which I can add extracurricular events and homework too. I'd love to hear some input.
Thanks.

 

[emkay]

My physical suggestions for getting started would be to try with a simple composition book (bound pages can't get torn out and lost in a backpack as easily) and a calendar (tape or staple into the front or back) and a folder for collecting papers - and that's it. Beware the dreaded "tweaking" syndrome and start simple. Take it from someone who doesn't follow her own good advice!

My other suggestion is for thinking about your calendar. As a student, you are deadline-driven. When the semester is over, it is over. Any work not handed in is an F. You do not have the luxury of re-negotiating deadlines or deliverables. Your work will be tied to a calendar.

There is much discussion in the forum about whether or not something should go on the calendar or on your context lists. Student work is so tied to due dates that you should not worry if you are using the calendar more than some others seem to. Read the book about "hard landscape" to get a better sense of this.

Hope this helps! I wish more of my students used GTD.
Emkay

 

[Jamie Elis]

focus on collection....

Keep your planner on your desk in every class and write, write, write all details of when, where, what. Teachers often rather casually mention exam dates, changes and deadlines and do it only once, or they post it on the black or white board and then it gets erased. Give yourself enough downtime to process. And, male sure that you have time for unstructured fun, although I can't figure out where it is dafe for kids for "hang out" like previous generations have.

I also think that students are not using technology enough to manage their time and info. I have been trying to get the kids I work wth to use line scanners, data basedmanagers, end-note software, MLA style help, etc I don't know how to use these things myself but I know it would help them and knowing how to use these things will help them make themselves useful in internship roles when they they can do things that the "grown ups" have not even heard about. They of course, would rather being socializing on my space and such.Maybe that is the new "Hang out".

Also, the fact that you are on-line and on a site like this puts you ahead of the game. It wuld be so lovely if you connected with an underpriveledged youth (maybe via a temple or church or your local Y) to mentor him or her (or a group) in even rudimentary study skills. There are kids that don't even know they should read the directions throughly before taking a test or even keep a planner.

 

[Instigase]

review, review, review

Like the Jamie and Emkay have suggested get and use a notebook/assignment notebook for all your deadlines. It not a bad idea to copy the assignments from each class' syllabus into the same notebook. Use the same notebook to keep track of your hours for after-school jobs and extracurricular activties events. In essence you'll want to have a central location for your Hard landscape.

Most of the stuff you will have to deal with will come in the form of notes that you take in class, and the accompanying handouts. Perhaps the most applicable part of the GTD methodology that will certainly guarantee success is that you review your class notes. Most of the work you will do will come in two forms: the completion of assignments and to "study" for tests and quizzes. The former is easy and you'll have a class syllabus and/or your assignment notebook to guide you through this. The studying part comes from lecture notes and reading. Make it a habit to review your notes as part of your daily studying process. Do not let them incubate and resurrect them in the hours before the exam. Take notes on your notes (use the Cornell notetaking method). Those questions you bring up during your reading and review of lecture notes become the @Agenda items to bring up and the next class meeting.

I really stress the need for developing a habit of reivewing. It is the lynchpin in the GTD process and it is the key study skills habit you can develop to achieve academic success.

good luck