In an evolving world and an unstable economy, and with manufacturing and even some customer service jobs moving overseas to countries like China and India, it is vital that the younger American generations strive to do well in their early and post-secondary education in order to have a better chance of obtaining the remaining, albeit dwindling, skilled positions that remain in this country. It is oftentimes the case that to do this and do it successfully requires multiple degrees, and the time required to do so extending years past the traditional four. For some people this can be a daunting task, simply because education has grown tiresome for them, too expensive, or perhaps they found employment paying the same as a degree would have earned. But for the rest of those who stayed in college, especially those who may be struggling from day to day just to meet deadlines, a word of timeless advice: don’t procrastinate, no matter how cool Facebook may make it seem.

This applies to all students, not just the traditional four year ones. To those attending trade school, community college, job training, graduate school, etc., it is vital that those annoying deadlines not be ignored until, that’s right, the last minute. There is nothing worse than asking a professor or instructor for more time when the work was assigned two weeks before. It is most beneficial then to any student to properly plan the assignment, and at least have most of it completed before that dreaded last moment before its due date. For some this means a minute to minute break-down of everyday, and the careful and meticulous calculation of what activities will occur when, and what moment they will be finished. Yes, those people do exist, and they never miss an assignment. But this certainly isn’t the only way of properly planning homework.

Having a calendar book or planner is one of the best ways of properly scheduling work, and it is a way that assures that the assignment is never forgotten. To write something down is to preserve it, and it is the best way the author has found to manage a heavy schedule. Does this mean that everyday must be analyzed and broken down hour to hour? Of course it doesn’t, but it is a good idea to at least outline a rough plan for finishing an assignment on time, and keeping a healthy awareness of its due date. For freshmen, at least for some, this idea may sound unnecessary, because courses “aren’t that difficult” or “there isn’t that much work.” Perhaps this is true, but it is only for the time being. Learning to properly plan a schedule as a freshman will prepare him or her for upper division classes, and senior year. Practicums, Capstones, internships, observations, etc. in addition to an intense amount of course work make senior year a very challenging time for most students, and having the simple ability of skillful planning will help to ease the burden.

This may sound like simple advice, and in fact it actually is, but far too many students learn first-hand that it is also simply the truth, and that to ignore deadlines often leads to more problems and a tighter schedule. “You may delay, but time will not.” As students continue their education this fall semester, hopefully these words of Benjamin Franklin and the short bit of advice preceding them will ring in the ears of many, and fewer deadlines be missed because of it.