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How to implement GTD for university students

Hello all,

This weekend I took out seven HUGE trash bags out of my office after cleaning everything hidden in every corner. I had boxes that had never been unpacked from four moves ago that are GONE! What a liberating feeling!

I don't have my tickler file set up, but have my someday/maybe and my "next actions" set up. The entire office is set up like a GTD Central Command. I had been using the Hipster last semester before life took a weird turn.

Anyways.... the reason for my question is this...

I'm a doctoral student, and as such I have weekly assignments for classes, papers for the semester, and some independent projects that I"m working on like grant proposals, etc.

I keep wondering what the best way of keeping track of everything, and I can't come up with anything concrete, so I thought I'd consult with the experts on this board.

Thanks!

codemac's picture

I am a *cough*undergrad*cough* Computer...

I am a *cough*undergrad*cough* Computer Science student, and I've tried a lot of different methods of GTDing.

Being a computer science student, I was initially inclined to try and get GTD on my palm and laptop. I have only found that because I think of using the computer as fun, it's hard to really focus and be organized with GTD on it. CS projects unfortunately are the same way :-/

As an undergrad, I have lots of small bits of work to complete by the next week. Usually math homework, or something equivalently small. This is where I suggest a physical tickler file. It has saved my life roughly in the thousands of times. Look at your calendar and pick a day to do that work, put it in the file, and when that day rolls around, add it to your NA's, and get it done.

Also, because of the multiplicity of what undergrads usually have to accomplish, having a decent number of contexts helps tremendously. I have @Dorm, @Computer, @Internet, @Class, @Agenda, @Errands, @Dublin ( My hometown.. for stuff I need to do when I get back ). Separating dorm, computer, and internet have helped with productivity as well.

And force your room mate to use your inbox. Labelling it will help them locate it.

 
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