A Grad Student's Staple: The To-Do List

Time management can be a pain in the butt. I'm one of those people who has both a full-time job and a full-time graduate school course load, keeps a blog, has a few writing projects going, and still makes time for her family, friends, and boyfriend. (I also watch way too much TV, have a pet cat, and spend two hours a day commuting.) You other grad students know exactly what I'm talking about, even if your daily tasks vary from mine. To new grad students, I recommend one of the simplest strategies: the to-do list.

Like the calendar, the daily to-do list helps you keep everything straight--you probably used one in undergrad. I have one on my personal blog because I get a kick out of using HTML tags to cross off the tasks I've completed (i.e. Write a blog post), but it can be as basic as a small notebook stored in your pocket, purse, or backpack. If toting more paper around isn't your style, consider these electronic options for use on your computer and/or mobile device:

• Ta-Da List: Ta-Da List helps you keep track of daily and weekly tasks, allows you to make lists (so under "Pay Bills," you can list "Comcast" and "electric"), and share your lists with family and friends. Check off each item's box to keep track of your progress. It also works on the iPhone. This option is free, 100% of the time.
  

• Remember the Milk: This one can be used on an iPhone, Blackberry, or Android phone, as well as with your Google Calendar, Gmail, or Twitter account (send direct messages with updates right to your list!). PC World says it "reinvents the to-do list." Pro Accounts cost $25 per year and you must upgrade to one to use the iPhone app, but why not just register a free account and log in from your mobile device's browser to avoid paying the money?

• And if you want some more creative ideas for to-do lists (or you just want to know what other people are up to), check out the To-Do List Blog.

Keeping a list is great because I often find myself staring at it after completing a task, asking, "Is there anything else I can do right now?" That exact scenario is why this blog post went up today, not on Tuesday. But remember, the most important thing when keeping a to-do list is to actually follow it and cross off completed tasks. No organization tool will help if you don't use it!