Academic Success Center - The George Washington University

Make a To-Do List

Print out a copy of the Weekly Schedule that is part of this section of the site.
Construct an overview for your upcoming week by writing in some of your higher priority tasks. (Refer to your completed "identify things to do" (PDF) exercise.)
Remember your time estimates. Are you being realistic?
Make your to-do list using the following guidelines. Be specific and break tasks into manageable chunks. Set priorities using the A-B-C value rating system.
Your to-do list can be a daily plan or, like the one below, a running list of priorities for the week.

To-Do List

A "to do list" is a technique to aid you in better organizing and defining the tasks you need to complete and to help you become more efficient.

Bad List

make a to-do list
study Chemistry
do lab report
go to bank
write English paper
buy birthday card for Grandmother
do laundry

Good List

(A) make a to-do list
(A) reread chapter 3 pp. 10-20
(A) reread chapter 3 pp. 21-30
(B) review lecture notes from 2/13, 2/15
(A) make flash cards of formulas
(A) outline lab report
(A) write lab report
(B) type lab report
(B) go to bank
(B) choose topic for English paper
(B) make an outline
look up sources in library
take notes on readings
rewrite paper/make corrections
type paper
buy birthday card for Grandmother
(C) do laundry
read history pp. 80-90
read history pp. 91-100
read history pp. 101-110

Additional tips to remember when making a list

get into the habit of making your list every morning or every evening.
be specific - define exactly what you have to do
break your tasks into small steps - it leads to greater success
ask yourself if it is feasible for you to complete all your A's during the day
ask yourself if you will feel good about yourself if you complete all your A's for the day

For more information about these and other services,
call (202) 994-5300 or visit .