As we finalize this semester, we need a plan to continue our work while still enjoying the holiday breaks. We are just beginning winter break. For many, this means time with family and friends without any worries. For some graduate students, this is the time to continue working on a proposal or manuscript. However, this does not mean we need to be working non-stop. We need to ensure we find time to relax with our family and friends while putting time and effort into our goals. To do this, we need to have a plan for action that prioritizes our most important work. 

As we wrap up the semester, I want you to think about the task you wish to begin or finish. Now that you know what that is, please think about a date or month you would like to complete this task. Once you have an idea of the task and the deadline, I will share my experience with prioritizing time to reach our writing goals while still enjoying our break. 

Prioritizing our time can help us achieve our goals. Reaching our goals can sometimes be blurred by the accumulating tasks we have (i.e., work, family, friends). Fortunately, there are ways to stay on top of our priorities and accomplish our goals even during the breaks. 

Almost two years ago, while looking at motivational videos, I came across the 5 AM Club on YouTube. I found plenty of research to support this method, so I decided to give it a chance. After coming across this method, I shared it with one of my closest friends, who also became my study-buddy (side note: if you do not have a study-buddy, please find one). I shared this with my friend because I know how disciplined she is and the methods she has implemented to tackle her studies. When I shared and explained what the 5 AM Club entailed, she was intrigued.  

The 5 AM Club consists of waking up at 5:00 a.m. and dedicating 20 minutes at a time to three different areas: exercising, planning, and studying. A few days later, we both began the 5 AM Club, and though we have deviated from the actual process, we have implemented things that have worked for us.  

The 5 AM Club has helped me notice how much brain power I have early in the morning after an hour of working out. During COVID-19, I am on my computer by 7:30 a.m., typing away because ideas are flowing at high speed. Additionally, this process has helped me in prioritizing the work that will contribute to my success. We all have lists of tasks we need to accomplish, from reading emails to writing the introduction for our paper. The 5 AM Club concept allows us to be ready to begin the work that will help us grow early in the day, which requires prioritizing what will help you grow professionally or personally, depending on your future goals. 

As I mentioned before, my friend and I have deviated from this concept but try to follow it as much as we can. Whatever method you may be implementing, the main advice I have for you is to tackle the work that will bring you riches first. The 5 AM Club worked for us because we had an opportunity to tackle our school work for one to two hours before beginning our job.  

 

It is unbelievable to see how productive you can be in the morning. It is only a matter of using your time wisely. During these school breaks, wake up early and tackle your priorities first, so that later in the day, you have an opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends. By doing this, you can still be productive during breaks. 

We all have different ways to achieve our goals, so as I share what has worked for me, I would like you to share what has worked for you. What works for me may not necessarily work for you. However, I hope that this read helps you improve your method to reach your goals. Comment below with the methods or approaches you use to achieve your goals, whether during the semester or during breaks. 
 
- Mayra Vargas 
 
Mayra is a doctoral student in the Department of Educational Psychology.