Why Strategies Matter

Case Study: Marcus's Journey

Background: Marcus is a 19-year-old student attending a community college in his hometown.  For many reasons, Marcus and his family have always faced financial challenges. His parents work multiple jobs to make ends meet, and Marcus contributes by working part-time at a local grocery store.

Goals: Marcus dreams of becoming a nurse. He is determined to excel in his studies and secure a stable career to support his family. Despite his busy schedule, he attends all classes, participates actively, and completes his assignments on time.

Challenges:

1. Study skills: Marcus doesn’t study very much. He made okay grades in High School without studying and doesn’t really know how people study. He does his homework but doesn’t really know how to be proactive with studying. 

2. Time Management: Balancing work, school, and family responsibilities leaves Marcus with little time for himself. He often ends up staying up late to finish assignments, leading to exhaustion. 

3. Emotion and work/life balance: The pressure to succeed and support the family weighs heavily on Marcus. He feels overwhelmed by the constant demands on his time and energy, and he feels resentful when other teens seem to be doing whatever they want with their time. He feels like he is working as hard as he can, but he doesn’t contribute to the family as much as he used to and he has some guilt about that.

Support System: Marcus's college offers resources like tutoring, counseling, and financial aid. His parents are very supportive of his attending college, but he does feel a little strained now that he doesn’t have as much money to contribute each month. He also has one supportive friend who encourages him to keep going.

How do you relate to Marcus? What advice would you give him in the areas of time management, study skills, and work/life balance?

These questions are meant to help you think through your own experience. Pick the area you believe you will struggle with the most and answer the questions from your own POV.

Time Management

1. Prioritization: What are your most important tasks each week? How can you prioritize them effectively?

2. Scheduling: How do you currently plan your day? Can you create a weekly schedule that includes time for classes, work, study, and personal activities?

3. Deadlines: How do you keep track of assignment deadlines and exam dates? What tools (e.g., planners, apps) can help you stay organized?

4. Procrastination: What are your common distractions? How can you minimize them to stay focused on your tasks?

Study Skills

1. Study Environment: Where do you usually study? Is it free from distractions? How can you create a more conducive study environment?

2. Study Techniques: What study methods do you use (e.g., summarizing, flashcards, group study)? Which ones work best for you, and why?

3. Reading Techniques: When did you last struggle with an assigned reading? How do you get through a difficult assigned reading?

4. Active Learning: How do you engage with the material (e.g., asking questions, discussing with peers)? How can you incorporate more active learning strategies into your study routine?

5. Review and Revision: How often do you review your notes? Can you set aside regular time for revision to reinforce your learning?

Work-Life Balance

1. Self-Care: How do you take care of your physical and mental health? What activities help you relax and recharge?

2. Boundaries: How do you set boundaries between work, study, and personal time? Are there ways to improve these boundaries to reduce stress?

3. Support System: Who are the people you can rely on for support (e.g., family, friends, counselors)? How can you reach out to them when you need help?

Reflection: How often do you reflect on your progress and challenges? Can you set aside time each week to assess what’s working and what needs adjustment?

As a class or in pairs, discuss how you can address these areas of focus in your life.

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