Focus: Mindset Monday – Balancing Independence & Complex Workloads

Learning Intention

We are learning how to use time management strategies to balance multiple certifications, GIS projects, and coding practice.

Success Criteria

• I can identify one method to keep myself on track when handling more than one major responsibility.

Why Are We Learning This?

In IT careers (and college), you’ll often juggle multiple deadlines and responsibilities at once. Knowing how to organize your workload now will help you succeed in certifications, GIS articulation, and beyond.

Warm-Up (Tech Journal Prompt)

• “What do you do when you have two big assignments due at the same time? Do you prioritize, multitask, or panic?”

Formative Lecture & Discussion (10 minutes)

• Conversation starter: “The college load” — what it feels like to handle multiple classes, projects, and deadlines.
• Introduce 2 advanced strategies:
  • Time Blocking: reserving chunks of time on your schedule for focused work.
  • Task Prioritization (Eisenhower Matrix): urgent vs. important.
• Example: How to divide study time between Python practice and GIS lab work in the same week.

How This Applies to Certifications 🔑

• Python PCEP / CompTIA Data+: require ongoing coding practice + conceptual review → time blocking ensures you don’t neglect either.